Several residents of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have expressed frustration over rising transport fares, which have restricted their mobility and impacted both personal and business activities.

Pouring out their grievances to the News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, they said the greatest challenge they are facing at the moment is the non-availability of fuel in spite of the increased cost of the commodity.

According to them, fuel is not readily available at many filling stations, thus increasing cost of transportation.

They, therefore, reiterated their appeal to the Federal Government and other authorities to urgently intervene in the situation as Nigerians were suffering and getting very desperate.

Mrs Rebecca Solomon, a civil servant, appealed to the Federal Government to redeem its promise of providing Compressed Natural Gas, CNG, buses for commuters.

According to Solomon, these vehicles when operational will greatly help in ameliorating the high cost of transportation which is affecting all sectors.

“Nigerians were happy when President Bola Tinubu announced the provision of buses to ameliorate the sufferings of Nigerians.

“We need God’s intervention to pull through because the situation of things is not getting any better. Many people are suffering and dying,” she said.

Mr Godson Edache, a nurse said, the sharp rise in the cost of necessities was biting hard on residents and this could only be checked by reducing transportation fares.

Edache said: “transportation is crucial as it affects virtually every thing/sector in the country. So it is not surprising that cost of goods and services have skyrocketed.

“Even at the clinic where I work, we no longer experience heavy influx of customers as we used to because the cost of drugs had also increased and people cannot afford treatment, ” he said.

Mr Gabriel Ojo, a desk officer said: “I have long forgotten I own a car because I have not been able to use it in a long time due to high cost of fuel.

For Agnes Goja, a student, treaking to school has become the order of the day for her. Her aunty, who she lived with could not afford to give her transportation fares.

“I live with an aunt who is a petty trader and has three children. My aunt used to give me transportation fares to school before but not anymore.

“She said she can no longer afford to give me money for transport to school because she is barely managing to feed and pay our school fees,” Goja said.

Miss Abiba Sule, a trader, said she used to operate a mobile business that entailed she move from one ministry to another to sell her goods but could no longer do the business anymore.

“I run a mobile business because I cannot afford to rent a shop. I used to go to different ministries and offices to sell my goods.

Meanwhile, Mr Festis Azubuike, a teacher who also decried the high cost of living in the country, however, praised the doggedness and survival mechanism of Nigerians.

“I do not know how we do it in this country. We are very brave and creative people and I always tell my friends that Nigerians have shock absorbers.

“The government at all levels and stakeholders need to come together, deliberate and implement policies that will ensure lasting solutions to our problems in the country,” he said.