03 January 2012, Sweetcrude, Yenagoa – Most residents of Yenagoa the Bayelsa State capital have devised a means of cutting down spending in the wake of the astronomical hike in fuel price and its attendant effect on transportation cost by resorting to trekking to their destination, distances they ordinarily would have used taxis or motorcycles otherwise known as Okada.
Also, it was observed that the number of vehicles on the roads of the capital were minimal Tuesday compared to the high traffic usually experienced before the removal of subsidy which triggered the increase in fuel price and transportation cost.
With a litre of petrol selling between N140 and N250 respectively at filling stations and black market outlets in the predominantly riverine state most motorists who cannot afford the high cost have abandoned their cars at home and now uses public transport which they considered more economical.
Some residents said they have no choice but to now trek those distance they ordinarily would have boarded taxis and Okada before the increament.
A security man in one of the government ministries in the state who simply identified himself as Ebiotu John said but for the risk involved in riding bicycle on the roads he would have saved towards buying one and riding same to work to cushion the effect of the high transportation cost brought by the increase in fuel price.
John, a father of six, lamenting the turn of event in the country queried, “How do I cope with my large family with this meagre salary as a security man. This is the height of wickedness on the part of the President Goodluck Jonathan administration after supporting him at the last general election.”
Continuing, he said, “I had thought of saving to buy bicycle with which I could go to work as I cannot afford the high fare being charged by motorcyclists and taxi operators but my family members will not allow me for fear of being run down by vehicles on our narrow roads, hence my resorting to trekking to work like others who cannot afford the high fares being charged.”