Commercial transport operators and passengers have called on the government to urgently address poor road conditions, insecurity and rising operating costs ahead of the Christmas travel season, warning that the challenges are contributing to higher transport fares and unsafe journeys.
The drivers made the appeal during separate interviews in Enugu on Tuesday, identifying bad roads, traffic congestion, armed robbery, kidnapping, rising fuel prices and expensive vehicle maintenance as major challenges confronting intercity transportation.
A long distance driver, Henry Obiekwe, said the difficulties had increased transportation costs while exposing drivers and passengers to significant safety risks.
He identified potholes, damaged bridges, narrow roads and abandoned or unfinished road projects as some of the problems making journeys longer and more dangerous.
According to him, sections of the Abuja-Kogi route and several highways leading to the South-East require urgent attention.
He also raised concerns about congestion along the Lagos-Benin-Asaba corridor, where delays can significantly extend travel time.
Obiekwe further expressed concern over sections of the Enugu-Port Harcourt Expressway, which he said required urgent rehabilitation.
He called on the Federal Government to prioritise repairs, particularly during the dry season, when road construction and maintenance activities may be easier to undertake.
Another commercial driver, John Isife, identified insecurity as a major concern, alleging that transport operators travelling through isolated areas had faced threats from armed robbers and kidnappers.
He explained that fear of attacks had forced some drivers to avoid certain routes or suspend night journeys, resulting in delays and reduced earnings.
Isife also lamented the rising cost of fuel, spare parts and vehicle repairs, saying the expenses had made it increasingly difficult for transport operators to remain profitable.
According to him, some drivers had increased fares to cope with rising operating costs, placing additional financial pressure on passengers already affected by the high cost of living.
He further warned that long hours behind the wheel could cause physical and mental exhaustion, increasing the risk of road accidents when drivers continued travelling despite being tired.
The drivers appealed to federal and state governments to rehabilitate major highways, strengthen security patrols and introduce measures to ease the financial burden on transport operators before the Yuletide rush.
Passengers have also expressed frustration over prolonged travel times and the difficult conditions encountered during intercity journeys.
A businesswoman, Antonia Ugwu, described her road trip from Lagos to Enugu as a distressing experience, saying a journey that would normally take about nine hours extended into the following day.
“I don’t even want to remember it. This is a journey of nine hours under normal circumstances, but we slept on the road and arrived in Enugu the next day,” she said.
Ugwu also urged commercial transport operators to maintain their vehicles regularly, obey speed limits and avoid driving when fatigued.
She called on the government to prioritise road rehabilitation, particularly across the South-East and South-South, as preparations for the Christmas travel period intensify.
With increased passenger movement expected during the festive season, the concerns raised by drivers and commuters have renewed calls for safer highways, improved security and more reliable intercity transportation across the country.
Written by Enitan Mudashiru
