Subsidy: Citizens trek in Imo as transporters hike fares

Residents of Imo State have resorted to trekking as transport fares hit high heavens following the removal of fuel subsidy by the federal government.

Also, prices of foodstuffs have increased by as high as 150 per cent as residents face high cost of living.

Transport fares both inter and intra have increased tremendously as Nekede to Wetheral Road, which used to cost N150 has been jacked up to N350. Wetheral Road to Orji and its environs have increased to N500 from N200.

A transport operator, Nnaji Dike, told our correspondent that the fare from Owerri to Okigwe, which used to cost between N700 to N1000 is now N3000 while Owerri to Anara was increased to N1500 from N500.

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In addition to transportation, prices of foodstuffs were not left out as a measure (mudu) of garri is now N1800 from N1000.

A food vendor, Mama Emeka told our correspondent that the increase was necessitated by the high cost of transportation.

Meanwhile, the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ) Imo State council, according to sources, has heeded to the directive by the CWC of NUJ to all councils in the 36 states including FCT, to mobilise members to withdraw their services and commence a nationwide protest from Wednesday, 7th of June, 2023, if the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNCPL) refuses to reverse the new price regime in the sector on or before 12 midnight on Tuesday.

Similarly, the Nasarawa State chapter of NLC, has said all arrangements have been concluded to mobilise its members ahead of Wednesday’s proposed nationwide strike over the removal of fuel subsidy by the federal government.