Some Benue residents have lamented the high transport fares despite the Federal Government position of reducing petrol prices in filling stations owned by Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL).
Some of the Makurdi residents who spoke with LEADERSHIP questioned the FG discount of N1,350 per litre, stressing that it has no impact on the citizens who struggle daily to pay for the high cost of living caused by fuel price.
A Makurdi based commercial bus driver, Torna Samuel stated, “The Federal Government announced fuel discount of N1,350 per litre at NNPCL filling stations but is good as there was no discount at all because there was no relief for Nigerians. I call on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to review this initiative and bring down the price of fuel”
A trader at Wurukum Market along Abu King Shuluwa Road, Makurdi, Robert Oryima accused the government of not doing enough to address the plight of Nigerians, “To me the Federal Government’s transport palliative and reduction of fuel price at NNPCL fuel stations was a cosmetic initiative to win votes ahead of 2027 general elections. Government knows what it can do to bring fuel price down but government is using our predicament to play politics with it”
A traveller, Gabriel Tyowase, told our correspondent that, “Transport fares is still high despite fuel discount by the government. I travel regularly to Abuja and some other parts of the country for businesses but transport fare remains same just like before government announcement” he lamented.