Barely two days to the Presidential election, some FCT motor parks have recorded large turnout of passengers travelling to various states of the country to either cast their votes or attend to other family issues.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) witnessed many passengers at the New Nyanya Transport Company, Nyanya, and Mararaba, MIDDS Transport Company, Nyanya, Utako Motor Park, Jabi, and Peace Mass Transit Utako, all in Abuja, buying tickets and boarding buses.
Many of the passengers said they were embarking on the journey to cast their votes as their registrations were done at their home towns.
Mr Emeka Eke, a passenger, told NAN that he was travelling to the eastern part of the country to exercise his franchise.
“I am embarking this journey because I have already registered in my state; as a patriotic citizen of this country, I have to exercise my franchise,’’ Eke said.
Mrs Ann Roberts, who was seen with her children, said they were travelling to attend some ceremonies at home slated for the Easter period.
Mr Mohammed Sule, another passenger, said he just seized the opportunity of the election, to travel to Kastina to attend to some family matters.
However, NAN correspondent observed that the available vehicles were inadequate due to the large turnout of passengers.
Mr Joel Ejira, the Manager, MIDDS Transport Company, Nyanya, corroborated this.
“Due to the influx of passengers and scarcity of fuel, other transporters are increasing their fares but we did not increase ours. Our route is Benue and we take N1, 500,’’ Ejira said.
Mr Emmanuel Aborr, the Station Manager, New Nyanya Transport Company, described the turout of passengers as “quite’’ impressive, in spite of the economic situation of the country.
He said there was a slight increase in the company’s transport fare, adding that Ogoja that was N2, 500 was presently N3, 000.
“Otukpo formerly was N1, 500 but N2, 000 now, Makurdi was N1, 300 but N1, 500 while Lagos N4, 500,’’ he said.
He advised the Federal Government to endeavour to make fuel available for commercial and domestic use, to avoid the jacking up of transport fare.
Mr Williams Ugwu, the Supervisor, Peace Mass Transit, also expressed surprise over the large turnout of passengers at the park, making the company to lack buses.
Williams said though there was scarcity of fuel, the company did not increase its transport fare at this period.
“We do not change fare price if there is no official change in fuel pump price; the only thing that can affect our fare is change in fuel pump price not fuel scarcity,’’ Williams said.
Mr Iyire Sunday, a Zaria route driver at Jabi Parks that the fare remained N1, 500, in spite of the large number of passengers at the park. (NAN)
