The Chairman of Ogoja Local Government Council, Chief Hon. Christopher Agbeh, has directed transport operators within the council area to immediately reduce fares on all routes, insisting that there is no justification for fare hikes following the recent drop in the prices of petroleum products.
According to the directive, transport fares have been adjusted across major routes. Commuters travelling from Ogoja to Calabar in Sienna buses now pay ₦14,000 instead of ₦20,000, while fares on Romchi and other buses have been reduced to ₦13,000 from ₦15,000. The Lagos route now costs ₦50,000, down from ₦71,000, Abuja fares have been reduced to ₦28,000 from ₦30,000, Ikom fares now stand at ₦4,000 as against ₦8,000, while trips to Obudu cost ₦4,000 instead of ₦5,000.
To ensure compliance, the Council Chairman personally supervised the enforcement of the directive and monitored the refund of excess fares collected from passengers.
Several commuters, including Mrs. Peace Mbu, Glory Ugar, and Adedayo Isaac, who were travelling to different destinations, commended the Chairman for the practical enforcement of the policy. They appealed for the sustained maintenance of the fixed fares throughout the Yuletide season.
Reacting to the development, managers of GUO Motors, Romchi Transport Services, and Bencross Transport Services assured the council of their commitment to complying with the Chairman’s directive.
Okpokiri Peter reporting from Ogoja Locaö Govt.