Lukman Abdulmalik
As Muslim ummah celebrated Eid-El-Adha (Sallah) in Kano, a few people traveled out of town to celebrate the festivities with their loved ones, while others stayed behind due to the rising costs of traveling for the Sallah break.
A short survey conducted by Stallion Times revealed that between 2023 and 2024 there has been a continuous increase in the cost of transportation across the country.
In Kano, as of April 2023, the cost of transportation by Bus from Kano to Abuja was N5,500 (17.74%), by July 2023 it rose to N7,000 (22.58%) indicating an increase of 4.84%.
As of April 2024, using the same means of transportation from Kano to Abuja was N8,500 indicating an increase of 27.42% while in June 2024, the cost increased to N10,000 indicating a 32.6% increase.
Commercial Bus Drivers in Kano Lament Low Patronage.
Several commercial drivers in Kano State have lamented the low turnout of passengers before and during the Eid-al-Adha celebration.
A visit by Stallion Times to the Kano Line motor park, Naibawa in Kumbotso Local Government Area (LGA), and the Sabon Gari motor park in Fagge LGA, it was discovered that most vehicles billed to traveling were empty; some with a few passengers.
Other motor parks visited were desolate due to poor patronage.
However, it was observed that part officials of the Nigeria Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) were primarily concerned with issuing or receiving waybills of parcels or goods leaving or entering parks.
Abdullahi Kabir, 30, a commercial driver in Naibawa Park, who has been routing Kano and Abuja for the past 15 years, stated that there was no sign of celebration or holiday due to the poor turnout of passengers during the period.
“People are not traveling as often as they did in the past because of the poor economic situation.
“Because of the lean times, people are using their little resources for things that have become a necessity; that is why many people do not prioritize traveling.”
Kabir explained that in 2023 the cost of transportation from Kano to Abuja was N5000 to N5,500, but as of the time of filing this report, it stands at N10,000 to N12,000 depending on the type of vehicle and how many passengers it will carry.
Muhammad Umar Wada, Branch Secretary, Naibawa Motor Park, highlighted that most of the time during Sallah celebrations there is a huge number of passengers traveling out of Kano while other passengers from other states travel en masse to the state to celebrate with their family.
“It is the same situation during Christmas because we usually experience more passengers traveling out of Kano than incoming-in.
“Normally, at times like this, we don’t get a lot of passengers, drivers ply the roads with empty vehicles to other states and return with passengers; if there are any at all.”
In the axis of Sabon-Gari, is the Mallam Kato Motor Park. It is recognized for its huge volume of passengers and activities, with a fleet of cars traveling to Abuja, Kogi, Edo, Lagos, and other states.
Here, Stallion Times observed that many of the vehicles were parked closed and empty. Park hustlers were seen scouting for passengers for the few vehicles that were taking their turn to travel.
The situation was the same with Kwanar Dawaki, Kano line, and the luxurious park along Zaria Road, also known for numerous traveling activities and always filled with travelers coming in and out of the state during festive seasons.
A driver, Usman Yusif, who spoke to Stallion Times said: “This business is not favouring us this period, my brother.”
“We are just trying to stay in business, but there are so many obstacles.
“The fare cannot be compared to the previous year. The difference between last year and this year is high.
“Too many factors are responsible for the increase in transport fares like the ever-rising cost of fuel and poor economic situation of the people.”
Hafsat Rilwanu, a traveler, who intended to travel to Abuja to celebrate Sallah with her parents has spent over 3 hours at Mallam Kato Motor Park waiting for the Bus to start the journey.
Though she complained of the high cost of transporting herself to Abuja by road, she agreed to travel anyway.
“I have been in the park since 6: am and it’s 9:45 am now and the vehicle is yet to take off.
“Some passengers have left the part after waiting a longer period, some have even canceled their trip.”
“If the turnout of passengers is still low by 11:00 am, I will also cancel my trip.”
According to her, ba dole ba ne.
