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Sunday, April 9, 2023

FCT commercial drivers decry low passengers turnout for Easter

Very few passengers were seen at the Jabi and Utako motor parks waiting to board vehicles at the time of filing this report.

• April 9, 2023

Many commercial drivers in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have decried the low patronage by passengers for the Easter holidays.

The drivers told journalists on Sunday in Abuja that this had resulted in little or no income to care for their family needs.

Very few passengers were seen at the Jabi and Utako motor parks waiting to board vehicles at the time of filing this report.

Yakur Jeremiah, a driver, said he had expected an influx of passengers due to the Easter holidays but was disappointed by the number of people at the park.

“Things have been slow in our business since the elections because people rarely travel like they used to.

“I was hoping that more people would travel due to the holidays, but surprisingly, it is almost business as usual for us, as you can see,” Mr Jeremiah said.

Another driver, Gbenga Hassan, said, “It is really a trying time for people in our line of business, and I guess for every Nigerian today.”

“ We pray things to change for the better in this country and soon, else many people will begin to die due to hunger. “

Similarly, another driver, Lafia, also prayed for God’s intervention in the country.

Mr Lafia, who said the cost of transportation had not changed recently, also decried low passenger turnout.

According to him, the roads are relatively safe, but the bad roads remain a major cause for concern.

He appealed to the incoming administration to look into the federal roads and ensure rehabilitation, as it was becoming a death trap.

A passenger, Gift Agbo, said she was travelling to Kaduna because it was a family tradition in her home to celebrate the Easter season together.

According to Ms Agbo, the country’s economy is not friendly, and many average-income earners find it difficult to make ends meet.

“I am not surprised that very few persons are boarding vehicles here to travel because things are tough for many people,” she added.

(NAN)

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