Civil Servants in Abuja ditch personal cars amid rising fuel prices

Civil servants in Abuja have resorted to public transportation as the soaring cost of fuel makes driving their personal vehicles unsustainable, a survey by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reveals.

Several workers told NAN on Sunday that switching to public transport helps them cope with the financial strain, as their wages cannot keep pace with the increased cost of petrol.

Mrs. Elizabeth Ekwere (not her real name), a civil servant, said she stopped using her car due to the high expenses associated with fueling it, which far exceeded what her salary could cover.

“Every week I drive my car to work, I spend nothing less than N100,000 on fuel alone. I have not talked about the food I and the children eat. When I bought the fuel for two weeks, I told myself the truth that I cannot continue. I had to pack the vehicle because I cannot continue to spend huge amounts of money on a daily basis which will result in me living above my means,” she explained.

With approval from her supervisors, Ekwere now works only twice a week to avoid incurring further debts.

Similarly, Mr. Festus Ugwu, another public servant, said his vehicle is now reserved for Sundays, when he drives his family to church. “One has to calculate very well before driving to any place now because it is not wisdom to spend all your earnings on fuel,” Ugwu remarked. He also expressed concerns about the activities of ‘one chance’ criminals but noted that public transportation was the only viable way to cut costs.

Ugwu called on the government to increase the minimum wage and allowances to help workers survive the effects of the fuel price hike.

Mrs. Caroline Ade, another respondent, said that many Nigerians are now adjusting their lifestyles to match those abroad, where trains are commonly used for daily commuting. “The government should revive the train system for a more reliable and sustainable transportation network,” Ade suggested.

Mr. Emeka Eluagu, a civil servant, said the government’s push for the adoption of Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) as an alternative fuel could reduce transportation costs if fully implemented. However, he expressed concerns about safety, citing a viral video of a CNG vehicle explosion. “The government needs to take this CNG initiative seriously as an alternative to this fuel hike,” he urged.

Aisha Mahmoud, another public worker, recommended that the government introduce public buses to reduce the financial burden on workers and address security concerns in the city. “Many people are now selling off their fuel-consuming vehicles and opting for more fuel-efficient models,” she added.

According to NAN, the current pump price of fuel ranges between N1,030 and N1,400 per litre.