Abuja Residents Shift to Public Transport Amid Petrol Hike

Residents of Abuja are increasingly abandoning their cars for public transport as a result of a recent hike in petrol prices. Many, including public servant Sholap Kolawole, have found it financially unfeasible to maintain their vehicles, citing insufficient salaries to cover daily fuel costs.

This shift has led to a noticeable reduction in vehicular movement across major roads in the Federal Capital Territory, with reports of heavy traffic and longer travel times. The economic strain is affecting small businesses and daily operations, as noted by Emmanuel Ajayi, who has also switched to public transport.

Experts like Aliyu Ilia attribute this hardship partly to global oil market disruptions. The Nigerian Human Rights Writers Association, represented by Emmanuel Onwubikor, describes the petrol price hike as an economic ambush, warning of potential unemployment and social instability.

There are urgent calls for President Bola Tinubu to intervene and stabilize fuel prices to alleviate the burden on citizens.