One thing to know about my country, Nigeria, is that it is a large country with six geopolitical zones, leaving us with diverse landscapes. So, transportation expenses vary depending on location, distance, mode of transportation, and destination.
Delving into the different modes of transportation we have in Nigeria are:
Air transportation: I reside in Akwa Ibom State, and I would say that Ibom Airline is the fastest and quickest option for a traveler who is traveling to the interstates. This mode is also the most expensive, as it is not for the poor. The price of booking a flight fluctuates, so it is advisable to book earlier before the departure. Comparing prices from different airlines would help a traveler know the best choice to make, as some may be offering discounts.
Another mode is that of road transportation. This is the most popular and common among dwellers. If you want to get around Nigeria, especially for nearby distances or interstate travel, road transportation would be the best option. In road transportation, buses, motorcycles (known as "okada"), and tricycles ("Keke") are used for short-distance transportation within the town. In Akwa Ibom, for nearby distances, we use tricycles. These are three-wheeled vehicles that carry four passengers and are relatively convenient.
Tricycle (Keke)
However, when traveling on a bad road, the experience can be a worst one. The rough road conditions can make the journey uncomfortable, and if the tricycle encounters water in the exhaust, it may break down, leaving passengers stranded unless the driver can quickly resolve the issue.
Bad road
In terms of cost, due to the high cost of fuel in the country, the distance one is traveling determines the amount to pay. However, the fixed fare for short distances is typically 100 naira per person. The high cost of fuel in the country has led to hardships for everyone starting from adults to kids, both travelers and businesses, affecting all aspects of the country.
Public transportation fares have skyrocketed as drivers attribute the increased cost to the price of fuel. Many people rely solely on public transportation for their daily movement, and the high fares make it challenging for them. In the educational sector, the cost of printing and typing has also increased significantly. Typists charge around 100 naira per page, and printing is 50 naira per page. While typing 70 pages of seminar would cost 7,000 naira while printing large document upto 100 pages would go for 10,000 naira which is very expensive for students.
For businesses, the higher fuel prices have led to increased prices in the buying and selling of goods and services. It becomes difficult for businesses to make sufficient profits as the fuel costs eat into their margins.
Transparency and accountability in the management of petroleum resources would go a long way in providing sustainable solutions. Apart from air and road transportation, we also have water and railway transportation, but the ones I am most familiar with and commonly used are the two discussed in this post.
Overall, transportation expenses in Nigeria can be quite challenging, particularly due to the high cost of fuel. Building of good roads and implementing policies to address the cost of transportation can help reduce the difficulties faced by commuters and businesses.
