Enugu, March 9, 2026 (NAN) The current rising price of fuel across the country is gradually hitting hard on the residents in Enugu State as commercial drivers have increased their fares by 10 per cent, the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports.
Checks by NAN in the Enugu city revealed that many school pupils as well as traders and artisans trekked to their destinations due to unexpected fare increase.
A transport fare from Gariki area to the Aria New Market which hitherto costs N500 on Monday rose to N600.
Also, from Meniru bus stop to the Ogbete Market went for N600 from the previous N500.
From Amechi junction to the Institute of Management and Technology (IMT) gate which costs N400 rose to N500.
NAN also reports that buses and tricycle operators at Abakpa, a suburb of Enugu city, have also added N100 at every drop.
It is also a similar situation in Emene some commercial drivers have also started adjusting their fares to the reality of the fuel situation.
Some residents who spoke to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) expressed surprise at the development.
Mrs Franca Onyemechi, a petty trader at Kenyatta market, said she was not aware of the increase in fuel not to talk of increase in fares.
She said: “When did they increase fuel price, because on Saturday I paid N200 only for them to increase it to N300 on Monday.
“This is wickedness. Only God will save us in this country, ” she said.
Another resident, master Chibuike Eze, a student of the University of Nigeria (UNN), Enugu campus, decried the increase saying that the situation might affect students who resided outside the campus.
“Imagine that I used to pay N300 to the campus gate every morning but today drivers insisted it must be N400 from Mayor junction to campus gate; very unfortunate! ” he said.
However, speaking to NAN, a commercial driver, Mr Joseph Nwaba, said he bought fuel at the cost of N1,200 on Sunday evening.
“Even the increase for now is not enough; I bought fuel yesterday evening N1200 and by 6pm no filling station was selling again, they all closed.
“In the black market, yesterday evening, fuel sold for N1,500; so, we may still increase fares more before the end of this week; it’s possible, ” he said.
NAN reports that only few filling stations are dispensing petrol leading to fears that the situation may worsen in days ahead.
NAN observed that the usual vehicular traffics in some strategic junctions and busy spots were not noticed as there seemed to be fewer vehicles on the roads.
Even the popular Holy Ghost Park with its attendant vehicular and human traffic was devoid of the usual movements of vehicles.
Many commutters who were unaware of the situation were stranded at some bus stops as commercial vehicle operators and tricycle operators insist on the increases. (NAN)
