By jimoh Ahmed, Owo
The high cost of transport fares arising from the removal of oil subsidy has now made trekking a routine exercise for many people in Akokoland, The Hope investigations have revealed.
Our correspondent who have been monitoring development within Ikare, Ugbe Arigidi and Akungba axis, discovered that youths, particularly apprentices, school children and other able bodied people with little income are involved in the exercise.
One of the regular trekkers, Mr Sunday Okudili, said he decided to be trekking to his shop from Olokun, Agbaluku Arigidi to Idi Mango in Ikare because he could not afford the payment of N400 to and fro daily.
A mechanic apprentice, Ojo Lateef, who lives in Arigidi but learns the trade at Ugbe Akoko, said trekking has become a daily routine exercise since he could not afford paying of N500 daily on transportation.
He noted that many people in this category have taken to trekking as a daily exercise.
A student, Jamiu Agboola, based in Arigidi but schools at Agborinkin High School, Ilepa, Ikare-Akoko, said high cost of transportation has made trekking the alternative for students since their parents cannot afford what is being charged by commercial motorcyclists.
Meanwhile, inter city trekking between Ikare and Akungba, Arigidi and Erusu, Erusu to Ikaram and Okeagbe to Oyin are now thriving.
Residents have therefore appealed to government to reinstate the free shuttle buses programme, provide government vehicles for commercial purposes that will be conveying commuters to their various destinations at moderate and affordable rate very soon.
