Many residents of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, have expressed frustration over the rising transport fares, which have severely restricted their movement within the city center.

Speaking to the News Agency of Nigeria, they highlighted one of their biggest challenges as the lack of fuel availability, despite its high cost.

According to them, fuel shortages at numerous filling stations have created an artificial scarcity, causing panic and contributing to the increasing cost of transportation.

They reiterated their plea to the Federal Government and other authorities to intervene quickly, as Nigerians are suffering and becoming increasingly desperate.

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A civil servant, Mrs. Rebecca Solomon, urged the Federal Government to fulfill its promise of providing Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) buses for commuters.

Solomon believes that once these buses become operational, they will significantly reduce transportation costs, which are impacting all sectors.

“Nigerians were hopeful when President Bola Tinubu announced the provision of buses to alleviate our struggles,” she said.

“We’ve been waiting for the buses promised by the Federal Government, but they’ve yet to materialize.

“We need divine intervention because the situation is only worsening. Many people are suffering and dying,” she added.

A nurse, Mr. Godson Edache, lamented the rising cost of necessities, which he says is having a severe impact on residents, adding that reducing transportation fares could help ease the burden.

“Transportation affects almost every sector in the country, so it’s no surprise that the cost of goods and services has skyrocketed,” Edache noted.

“Every day, I struggle to afford transportation to work because fares fluctuate constantly. The recent hike in bus fares has put additional pressure on my already tight budget, making it harder to make ends meet.

“At the clinic where I work, we no longer see as many patients because the cost of drugs has also increased, and many people can’t afford treatment,” he explained.

Similarly, Mr. Gabriel Ojo, a desk officer, stated, “I’ve practically forgotten I own a car because I haven’t used it in a long time due to the high cost of fuel.

“I don’t understand if fuel station managers are intentionally hoarding fuel to create scarcity and drive up prices.

“I’ve given up on convenience, left my car at home, and now take cabs to work because that’s all I can afford at the moment.

“Something urgent needs to be done, as the situation worsens daily, and the economy is no longer sustainable,” he added.

For a student, Agnes Goja, trekking to school has become routine as her aunt, with whom she lives, can no longer afford to give her money for transportation.

“My aunt is a petty trader with three children. She used to give me transport money to school but not anymore.

“She said she’s barely able to feed us and pay our school fees, so she can’t afford to give me money for transportation,” Goja shared.

Similarly, a trader, Miss Abiba Sule, said she used to run a mobile business, moving from one ministry to another to sell her goods, but can no longer afford to continue.

“I can’t rent a shop, so I used to operate a mobile business, visiting different ministries and offices to sell my goods.

“Now, business is slow, the cost of items has increased, transportation is expensive, and people are complaining about having no money.

“My income has drastically reduced, and two of my children are home because I can’t pay their school fees.

“The situation is terrible. The government must act fast to save the economy before we all succumb to hunger and poverty,” Sule lamented.

Meanwhile, a teacher, Mr. Festus Azubuike, who also criticized the high cost of living, praised Nigerians for their resilience.

“I don’t know how we do it in this country. We are brave and resourceful, and I often tell my friends that Nigerians have ‘shock absorbers.’

“No matter the situation, we always find a way to cope. We adjust to whatever comes our way.

“The government and stakeholders must come together, discuss, and implement policies that provide lasting solutions to the country’s problems,” he advised.