Commercial minibus operators in Osogbo, Osun State, known as Korope, have called for urgent intervention over rising petrol costs, citing the absence of CNG refuelling stations in the state as a major contributor to their financial struggles. On Wednesday, they staged a peaceful protest at Ayetoro in Osogbo, temporarily withdrawing their vehicles from the roads to draw attention to the increasing cost of running commercial transport services. The operators claim that high petrol prices, expensive spare parts, and rising household expenses have significantly reduced their daily earnings.
The protesting drivers revealed that some commercial drivers spend as much as ₦40,000 on petrol daily, leaving them with very little income after settling other operational expenses. Adewumi Adeleke, one of the protesters, expressed frustration with the current situation, stating that it is difficult to sustain the business with such high fuel costs and expensive spare parts. He urged the Federal Government and the Osun State Government to accelerate the provision of CNG facilities in Osogbo, which could reduce the financial burden on commercial vehicle operators.
Many minibus operators are prepared to convert their vehicles from petrol to CNG but require government assistance to make the conversion process affordable and accessible. Adeleke warned that failure to address their concerns could lead to a prolonged withdrawal of services. The operators also called for a review of transport fares to reflect the current cost of petrol, vehicle maintenance, spare parts, and other expenses associated with commercial transportation.
Prince Olakunle Ojo, another driver, explained that the increasing price of petrol has made it difficult for drivers to generate meaningful income after paying for fuel and other daily expenses. He cited an example of a driver spending ₦15,000 on petrol and recording only ₦13,000 in earnings at the end of the day, making it challenging to provide for personal needs or maintain the vehicle.
The limited availability of CNG infrastructure in Osun State is also a major concern for the operators. Ojo stated that there is not a single CNG station in Osun State, making it difficult for drivers who have converted their vehicles to access the alternative fuel locally. This has resulted in many drivers keeping their CNG vehicles idle.
Ariyo Idowu, another driver, appealed for the provision and improvement of designated bus stops across Osogbo, saying proper transport infrastructure would help organise commercial operations and improve the movement of passengers within the city. The drivers warned that they could embark on a week-long strike if their concerns are not addressed, while appealing to the government and transport unions to engage them in dialogue.
The protest highlights ongoing concerns among transport operators over the effect of fuel prices on public transportation and the wider cost of living. The operators are seeking government intervention to alleviate their financial struggles and improve the overall state of the transport sector in Osun State.
Key points
- Osun State minibus operators are demanding the provision of Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) stations to reduce the financial burden of high fuel prices on their businesses.
- The operators are also calling for a review of transport fares to reflect the current cost of petrol, vehicle maintenance, spare parts, and other expenses associated with commercial transportation.
- The protest may escalate into a week-long strike if the operators' concerns are not addressed through dialogue with the government and transport unions.
