Economic hardships in FCT: Civil servants forego cars for cheaper public transportation amid fuel crisis

• Civil servants in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) are opting for public transportation due to high fuel costs
• Mrs. Elizabeth Ekwere and Mr. Festus Ugwu share their struggles of balancing expenses with meager salaries and the exorbitant price of fuel
• They urge the Federal Government to pay minimum wage and allowances to ease the burden on workers

In the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), civil servants are increasingly parking their vehicles and opting for public transportation due to the soaring cost of fuel, a survey by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reveals.

Many have found it more economical to use public transport for their daily commutes and other engagements.

High fuel costs in FCT force civil servants to use public transportation. Photo credit: Analogu via Getty Images
Source: Getty Images

Mrs. Elizabeth Ekwere (pseudo name), a civil servant, shared her experience, stating that the current pump price of fuel and her modest salary made it unsustainable to continue using her car.

"Every week I drive my car to work, I spend nothing less than N100,000 on fuel alone. I have not talked about the food I and the children eat. When I bought the fuel for two weeks, I told myself the truth that I cannot continue," she said.

Fuel costs affect civil servants

Ekwere has since reduced her workdays to avoid incurring debt, with her superiors' permission.

Mr. Festus Ugwu, another public servant, mentioned that his vehicle, usually parked during the workweek, is now only used on Sundays to take his family to church.

Despite concerns about the 'one chance' group, Ugwu uses public transportation to cut costs. He urged the Federal Government to pay minimum wage and other allowances to help mitigate the impact of the fuel price hike on workers.

"One has to calculate very well before driving to any place now because it is not wisdom to spend all your earnings on fuel," he said.

Reps blow hot, demand immediate price hike

Meanwhile, Legit.ng earlier reported that the Nigerian House of Representatives has stepped in to address the skyrocketing prices of petrol and cooking gas.

This, they demanded for immediate cut down on cost of cooking gas and petrol to alleviate the growing economic hardship faced by Nigerians.

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Source: Legit.ng