Michael Ofulue

The lingering fuel crisis across the country, particularly in Akure, the Ondo State capital, is taking its toll, as residents and school children have resorted to trekking long distances before getting to their schools and destinations.

Investigations conducted by The Hope Metro revealed that since the fuel crisis began, taxi fares have increased from N50 to N100 per drop and N100 to either N200 or N300, depending on the distance.

Our reporter who monitored the situation in Akure, observed many residents, especially primary school pupils and secondary school students, trekking to and fro their schools on the scorching sun.

A cross section of secondary school students who spoke with The Hope Metro yesterday lamented the situation, saying their parents could not afford the increased fares.

“Taxi drivers, who used to charge N50 per drop, now ask for N100, while okada riders, who used to convey us for N100, now ask for N200.

“They claimed that they now spend days in filling stations without getting fuel. And moreover, they said the price of petrol otherwise known as Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) which they used to buy at N165 per litre, has been increased to N250 or above,” they explained.

The students, therefore, appealed to the Federal and State Governments, including stakeholders in the oil sector, to profer solution to the frustrating situation.

Mrs Ngozi Childi, who met our reporter, while taking her  two children to school, said she used to engage an okada man to convey his children to school at the rate of N100 per drop. But said she could not afford the exorbitant charges caused by fuel scarcity.

“Can you see me now trekking to school with my two kids.? I stopped an Okada man to carry them to school and he said he would collect N200 to their school, that is not too far from our house.”