Benue Residents Lament High Transport Fares Despite FG’s Fuel Discount

Residents of Makurdi, the Benue State capital, have expressed dissatisfaction with persistently high transport fares despite the Federal Government’s fuel price discount initiative at filling stations operated by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL).

The residents said the intervention had yet to provide meaningful relief to commuters and travellers struggling with the rising cost of living, calling on the government to take more effective measures to reduce transportation costs.

Some residents who spoke with LEADERSHIP questioned the impact of the government’s reported fuel price reduction, arguing that transport fares had remained largely unchanged despite the announcement.

A commercial bus driver based in Makurdi, Torna Samuel, described the initiative as ineffective, saying it had not translated into any noticeable relief for Nigerians.

“The Federal Government announced fuel discount of N1,350 per litre at NNPCL filling stations, but it is as good as there was no discount at all because there was no relief for Nigerians,” he said.

Samuel urged President Bola Tinubu to review the initiative and implement measures that would bring down petrol prices and ease the financial burden on citizens.

Similarly, a trader at Wurukum Market along Abu King Shuluwa Road in Makurdi, Robert Oryima, criticised the government’s approach to addressing the economic difficulties facing Nigerians.

Oryima described the transport palliative and fuel price reduction as inadequate, alleging that the initiatives were politically motivated ahead of the 2027 general elections.

“To me, the Federal Government’s transport palliative and reduction of fuel price at NNPCL fuel stations was a cosmetic initiative to win votes ahead of the 2027 general elections,” he said.

He argued that the government had the capacity to take more decisive steps to reduce fuel prices but had failed to adequately address the hardship experienced by ordinary Nigerians.

Also speaking, a frequent traveller, Gabriel Tyowase, said transportation costs had remained high despite the government’s announcement.

Tyowase, who regularly travels to Abuja and other parts of the country for business, said he had yet to notice any reduction in fares since the introduction of the fuel discount.

“Transport fares are still high despite the fuel discount by the government. I travel regularly to Abuja and some other parts of the country for business, but transport fare remains the same just like before the government announcement,” he lamented.

The complaints highlight concerns among residents over the effectiveness of government interventions aimed at cushioning the impact of rising fuel costs on transportation and household spending.

The residents urged the Federal Government to review its approach and ensure that measures introduced to reduce fuel prices translate into tangible benefits for commuters, commercial transport operators and other Nigerians affected by the high cost of living.