Commercial minibus operators in Osogbo, Osun State, known as Korope, staged a protest on Wednesday over the rising cost of petrol and escalating operating expenses. The drivers temporarily withdrew their vehicles from the roads and converged at Ayetoro, Osogbo. They demanded urgent government intervention, particularly the provision of Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) refuelling stations across the state. This protest highlights the struggles of commercial vehicle operators in Nigeria's Osun State.
The protesters said the sharp increase in petrol prices, coupled with the rising cost of spare parts, vehicle maintenance, and household expenses, had severely affected their earnings. One of the drivers, Adewumi Adeleke, stated that some operators now spend as much as N40,000 on petrol daily, leaving them with little income after meeting other expenses. This situation has made it difficult for drivers to make a meaningful income.
Adewumi Adeleke appealed to the Federal Government and the Osun State Government to accelerate the deployment of CNG infrastructure in Osogbo. He argued that access to the alternative fuel would reduce the cost of operating commercial vehicles. Many drivers are willing to convert their vehicles to CNG but cannot afford the conversion without government support. The lack of CNG infrastructure in Osun State is a major concern for the operators.
Another driver, Prince Olakunle Ojo, said the rising cost of petrol had made it increasingly difficult for drivers to make a meaningful income after paying for fuel. Ojo stated that a driver could spend about N15,000 on petrol and end the day with only about N13,000 in earnings. This situation is unsustainable for the operators, and they are demanding a review of transport fares to reflect the prevailing cost of fuel, vehicle maintenance, and spare parts.
The operators further demanded a review of transport fares and the provision and improvement of designated bus stops across Osogbo. A driver, Ariyo Idowu, said the worsening operating environment was making it difficult for drivers to meet their family responsibilities and maintain their vehicles. Better transport infrastructure would help organise commercial operations and improve passenger movement.
The protest came a day after the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Heineken Lokpobiri, defended Nigeria's petrol price, saying it remained lower than that of the United States and several other countries. Lokpobiri stated that the pump price could not simply be reduced to N1,000, N800 or N700 per litre because crude oil and refined petroleum products are traded in the global market.
The drivers warned that they could embark on a week-long strike if their demands were not addressed and urged the government and transport unions to engage them in dialogue. The protest highlights the need for the government to address the concerns of commercial vehicle operators and find a solution to the rising cost of petrol and operating expenses.
Key points
- The protesters are demanding the provision of Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) refuelling stations across Osun State.
- The operators are struggling to make a meaningful income due to the rising cost of petrol and operating expenses.
- The drivers are urging the government to review transport fares to reflect the prevailing cost of fuel, vehicle maintenance, and spare parts.
