By Achadu Gabriel, Kaduna
A commercial bus driver operating along Kaduna Central Market and Sabon Tasha routes broke down in tears after spending N20,000 on Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), commonly known as petrol, amid rising fuel costs.
The incident occurred at a filling station along Kachia Road in , where the driver, whose identity was withheld, became visibly emotional after learning the cost of the fuel purchase.
Eyewitnesses said the driver’s distress drew the attention of passengers, many of whom expressed concern over the worsening economic situation affecting transport operators and commuters alike.
According to an eyewitness account, the driver explained that he had never spent such an amount on petrol in over a decade of commercial driving. He lamented that the rising cost of fuel now makes it difficult to break even after settling expenses, including payments to the conductor and the vehicle owner.
He further noted that a typical trip between Central Market and Sabon Tasha generates about N5,000, with returns often yielding even less during early morning hours. The driver expressed fears that the purchased fuel may only last for three to four trips, raising concerns about sustainability.
Passengers in the area have also continued to complain about increased transport fares, which now range between N400 and N700 depending on the time of day, particularly during peak hours.
Efforts by the to cushion the impact, including the introduction of Compressed Natural Gas (CNG)-powered buses for civil servants, have yet to significantly ease the burden on commuters and operators.
Analysts have linked the surge in fuel prices to global oil market disruptions, including tensions in the Middle East involving the , and , with expectations that prices may stabilise after the conflict subsides.
