Struggle Deepens for FCT Commuters and Taxi Drivers Amid Soaring Living Costs

• Commuters and taxi drivers in Abuja express distress over the surge in living expenses, including transportation costs and essential commodities
• Ms. Ekaite Akpan, a civil servant, struggles with the increased burden of transportation expenses amidst rising living costs in Abuja

As the Federal Capital Territory witnesses a surge in living expenses, commuters and taxi drivers voice their distress over financial strains.

Individuals shared their growing concerns in conversations with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Sunday in Abuja.

For many, the steep incline in living costs creates substantial challenges, raising questions about the feasibility of sustaining daily life in the nation’s capital.

Ms Ekaite Akpan, one of those affected, highlights the intensified burden on public transportation users as bus fares climb alongside fuel and other essentials costs.

Reflecting on her experiences, Akpan, a civil servant, expresses, “Every day, I struggle to afford transportation to and from work. The recent surge in bus fares has placed an additional burden on my already tight budget, making it increasingly difficult to make ends meet.”

Echoing similar sentiments, Mr. Chukwudi Onuba underscores the importance of the Federal Government fulfilling its commitment to providing buses and offering relief to commuters in the FCT.

Mr. Godwin Tingir, an office assistant, urges governmental intervention to tackle the escalating living costs, particularly with school fees looming as many schools resume after the Sallah holidays.

Shina Bello, a taxi driver, paints a dire picture of how he and his colleagues grapple with rising expenses’ economic repercussions.

“We understand that fuel prices have risen. But the increased cost of living has made it exceedingly difficult to sustain our livelihoods. Despite the uptick in fares, our earnings are barely enough to cover expenses, let alone turn a profit,” laments Bello.

Obinna Obiekwe, another driver, emphasizes the widespread impact of soaring living costs on Nigerians’ disposable income, forcing families to tighten their budgets and prioritize spending.

Francis Adams, a financial expert, stresses the urgency for measures to alleviate the financial strain on residents, emphasizing the need for policies targeting inflation control and stabilization of essential commodity prices.

“The current economic climate is unsustainable for ordinary citizens. We need decisive action from policymakers to address the root causes of rising living costs and ensure the welfare of residents is safeguarded,” asserts Adams.

The plight of commuters and taxi drivers poignantly reminds us of the challenges facing ordinary Nigerians amid economic uncertainty, especially the escalating cost of living.