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By Tosin Ale, Marvelous Isaiah, Eniola Ayoola
The retail price of Premium Motor Spirit (petrol) has reached ₦1,400 per litre in parts of Kwara State, triggering fresh increases in commercial transport fares and the costs of essential commodities.
The price surge, driven by rising crude oil costs, foreign exchange pressures, and elevated distribution expenses, has severely impacted transport operators across Kwara State.
Kasheem Adebayo, a local transport operator popularly known as Moreo, spoke in an interview with Harmony FM in Idofian, Ifelodun Local Government of Kwara State stating that higher fuel costs are severely diminishing net revenues across the transport sector.
“Transport operators are finding it difficult to maintain their businesses because a large part of our income now goes into purchasing fuel,” Adebayo said.
The escalating transit costs for commercial buses, tricycles (Keke), and taxis have also increased food and commodity prices as transporters pass on distribution costs to traders and consumers.
Notably, students commuting along the popular Post Office Area to Kwara State Polytechnic route now face a fare increase to ₦600, up from the previous ₦500 per trip.
The cost pressures on commercial buses, tricycles, motorcycles, and haulage trucks have led to higher transit fares for commuters.
Transporters report that the added distribution expenses are also being passed on to consumers, pushing up food and commodity prices at local markets.
Citizens and sector stakeholders have renewed calls on the federal and state governments to implement price-stabilization measures, support public transit infrastructure, and accelerate adoption of Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) as a lower-cost alternative.
