As the Yuletide season approaches, the Kaduna State branch of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) has reported a significant decline in the number of travelers, estimating a reduction of over 50 per cent.
The revelation, shared by the state NURTW Secretary, Malam Bature Suleiman, highlights a notable shift in travel patterns, with people now opting to send goods to their families rather than embarking on journeys themselves.
In an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria on Friday, Suleiman attributed this shift to the exorbitant cost of transportation fares, a consequence of the recent hike in fuel pump prices.
The resulting economic strain has led individuals to reconsider traditional travel plans, favoring alternative means of communication.
“People no longer travel but only prefer to send messages to their loved ones. Sadly, if you go to our motor parks now, you will see a lot of vehicles waiting without passengers. People don’t have money to travel until it becomes necessary; they prefer to waybill messages,” observed Suleiman.
The commercial transport sector, according to Suleiman, is grappling with financial losses due to the unfavorable economic conditions.
The increment in fuel prices, coupled with the prevalence of poorly maintained roads and unfavorable policies affecting the transportation sector, has created a challenging environment for drivers.
“Apart from the increase in fuel price, we have a lot of bad roads, and a lot of policies taken on the transportation sector are not favorable,” lamented the NURTW official.
Suleiman further highlighted the burden of alleged multiple taxes imposed on union members, describing the situation as dire.
He explained, “There are lots of revenues attached to transportation as the government now seems to have its focus on the sector. Currently, there is an increment so much that what the driver would get at the end of the day is nothing to write home about. Drivers would just be doing the work without any gain in it.”
The confluence of increased fuel prices, poor road conditions, and burdensome taxes has created a ripple effect, leading to a paradigm shift in the travel landscape.
Families, grappling with financial constraints, are now relying on alternative methods, such as sending goods, to maintain connections during the festive season.
As the NURTW voices these concerns, it underscores the need for comprehensive solutions and policy adjustments to alleviate the economic challenges faced by the transport sector, ultimately ensuring the ease of travel for the populace and the sustainability of the industry.
