Borno residents have dumped their cars to take to horses and bicycles.
This comes following the increase in petroleum pump prices on Tuesday, more residents, including civil servants in Borno State have abandoned their vehicles to embrace trekking, horse riding, and the use of bicycles and tricycles for mobility.
During a tour of Maiduguri, the state capital in the early hours of Thursday, Punch Online observed that there were fewer vehicles on the road and more pedestrians including horse and bicycle riders on major roads.
One of the pedestrians, Dadoon Pam, who is a graphic designer, told our correspondent that the cost of mobility has increased significantly as tricycle riders now refer to NNPC’s increase of petroleum products price, making commuters pay almost double the amount before the increase.
He also said, “This price has affected me terribly because as a graphic designer, I need electricity to make my design. Now that we depend solely on fuel to work. This increase means I now have to charge my clients more. Though It will be bad for business I don’t have an option as we speak.”
Another resident, who is a Retired customs officer, Tuja Mai Abba, said since the price increase, he had abandoned his vehicles for commercial tricycles, while noting that it saves cost, especially for a few killiometre movements.
“The government is confusing us about this issue of fuel subsidy and availability. You hear one story today and another story tomorrow. It is seriously affecting me, I have abandoned my car for a while now,” Abba said.
