Following the significant increase in the Pump Price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), Commonly known as petrol, from N488 to a range between N568 and N617 per liter, Civil Servants in Lagos State have adopted a Shift System to Mitigate the Impact of this Price Hike.
As a result, many Private Vehicle Owners in Lagos have Opted to use Public Transportation for their daily commute to Work and other Destinations.
This Change in Transportation choices has led to a reduction in the Chaotic Traffic gridlock across the State, allowing for a Smoother flow of Traffic on most Highways.
Areas such as Egbeda, Iyana-Ipaja, Dopemu, Ikeja, Oshodi, Ikotun, Isolo, Agege, Yaba, Ikorodu Road, CMS, and Ikoyi have Witnessed this Shift in Commuting Patterns.
With the rising Cost of Transport Fares, some Individuals from various walks of Life find themselves Undertaking long Walks despite the Scorching Sun.
Consequently, Commercial Buses and Taxis have experienced a Noticeable decrease in Passenger Patronage, as more Commuters opt for alternative means of Transportation such as the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system and even Trekking, especially for short Distances.
Civil Servants in the State are also facing hardships due to the Fuel Price Increase and have resorted to working on a Shift basis to alleviate the Financial Strain.
As Residents continue to adapt to the reality of trekking long distances, there is a growing Desire for a Relief Package, the much-anticipated “palliative,” promised by the Federal Government to address and cushion the effects of the Fuel Price Crisis and restore affordable Transportation.
The current situation has left many Residents with no choice but to Resort to Trekking as a means of Transportation, as they cannot afford the exorbitant fares charged by Commercial Bus Drivers.
Many people who previously relied on personal Vehicles have shifted to using Staff Buses or Public Transportation to cope with the high Cost of Fuel on their modest Salaries.
Some ministries have also Adopted a one-day-on, one-day-off Shift pattern for Workers to reduce the number of days spent at Work, taking into account the Country’s Economic Situation.
This Shift system aims to Alleviate the Financial Burden on Employees caused by the Fuel Price hike.
While most Workers are currently Operating on a Shift Basis, there are still some regular Office-Goers.
However, many Employees are grateful for the Provision of Staff Buses that help them Commute to and from their Workplaces during these Challenging times.
A resident named Ayo Elemide firmly believes that the new Subsidy Regime, endorsed by the APC-led Administration, is exacerbating the already dire Economic Situation.
According to Elemide, this Fuel Price increase is worsening the Economic Struggles faced by Nigerians and could potentially lead to further Challenges if not addressed promptly.
