AtlanticPost/NAN Report
IBADAN, Oyo (AtlanticPost/NAN) — As Nigeria enters the Easter holiday season, the anticipated rush in inter-state travel has been notably subdued across major motor parks in Oyo State, underscoring the impact of the country’s dire economic situation on festive celebrations. Reports from various motor parks in Ibadan, the state capital, reveal a stark contrast to previous years, with a significant decline in passenger turnout.
A recent visit by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) to motor parks at Iwo Road and Ojoo Bus Terminals unveiled a striking absence of the usual hustle and bustle associated with Easter holidays. Contrary to expectations, there was no surge in inter-state commuting, painting a picture of subdued festivities.
According to Mr. Michael Adelokun, the Chairman of Saki Motor Park, the number of buses departing from the park to various destinations fell below expectations, reflecting a noticeable decline in passenger travel. Adelokun attributed this trend to the prevailing economic challenges faced by Nigerians, citing a lack of disposable income as a key factor dampening travel enthusiasm.
“People have not been coming out due to lack of money, although we have not increased the cost of transportation,” Adelokun remarked. Despite maintaining stable transportation fares – with a bus trip to Saki priced at N3,000 and N3,500 for a car – the financial strain on passengers has led to a reluctance to embark on journeys.
The burden of rising operational costs within the transportation sector further compounds the challenges faced by motor park operators. Adelokun highlighted the escalating costs of petrol, car maintenance, engine oil, and tyres, which have significantly eroded profit margins. The cost of engine oil, for instance, has surged from approximately N3,500-N4,000 to a staggering N16,000, while tyre prices have more than doubled.
Isahu Salawu, the Secretary of the Park Management System at Iwo Road Motor Park, echoed Adelokun’s sentiments, emphasizing that passengers are opting to stay home and manage their expenses during the festive season. The prevailing economic conditions, characterized by dwindling purchasing power, have rendered festive periods less vibrant at motor parks.
“Due to the general low purchasing power of Nigerians, it is difficult to increase transport fare in the midst of skyrocketing prices of goods and services,” Salawu lamented. Despite the mounting financial pressures, motor park operators have refrained from hiking transportation fares to alleviate the burden on passengers.
While some passengers have observed slight fare increases for specific routes, such as the fare to Iseyin rising from N1,300-N1,500 to N1,700, the overall sentiment remains one of cautious spending. Miss Tobiloba Samuel, a passenger heading to Lagos for the Easter holiday, noted modest fare increases but remarked that many individuals are still hesitant to undertake extensive travel.
In light of the subdued atmosphere at motor parks during the Easter period, the festive spirit that typically pervades such occasions appears to be noticeably absent. The economic strain, characterized by rising living costs and diminished purchasing power, has cast a shadow over celebrations, underscoring the profound impact of Nigeria’s economic challenges on holiday festivities. (AtlanticPost/NAN)
