Following the increase in petrol prices nationwide on September 3, residents and workers in Borno State, including civil servants, have largely abandoned their cars. They are now turning to trekking, horse riding, and using bicycles and tricycles for their daily commutes.
In Maiduguri, the state capital, it was observed on September 5 that there were fewer cars on the streets, with more people walking or using horses and bicycles for transportation.
One pedestrian remarked that the cost of getting around has risen sharply, as tricycle operators have adjusted their fares in response to the higher petrol prices set by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), effectively doubling the previous cost for commuters.
Another resident of Maiduguri shared that she has adapted by walking half of her morning journey before catching a tricycle for the rest of the way.
A retired Customs officer, who is also a resident, explained that since the increase in petrol prices, he has switched from driving his own car to using commercial tricycles. He highlighted that this adjustment has helped reduce expenses, particularly for short-distance travel.
A different individual stated that he has adopted trekking and riding tricycles as his main forms of transportation due to the nearly doubled fare prices set by tricycle operators following the recent petrol price hike.
The price of petrol was increased to N855 per litre on Tuesday, with variations in costs at different NNPCL stations nationwide.
