Commercial drivers in the Federal Capital Territory(FCT) have decried instability and increase in the price of petrol in States outside the city centre, the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports in Abuja.

Some of the drivers, in separate interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Friday, said the high cost in obtaining petrol was one of their major challenges.

They, therefore, appealed to the Federal Government and relevant authorities to look into the issue as it was affecting their businesses.

Mr Musa Adamu, the Vice Chairman, NURTW Branch 3, Long Journey, said, “the cost of fuel in the Northern States is higher than what the drivers buy here in Abuja.

“As you can see, there are few buses on ground now waiting to convey passengers to their locations.

“This is because they cannot buy fuel at a higher cost over here and go empty just to pick passengers.

“Despite this, we have not increased the cost of fares to enable our passengers to be able to travel.”

A driver, Mr Ishaku Isah, said, “Our prices to the north have not changed in spite of the holidays because we know there is no money anywhere.

“From Abuja to Kaduna is N2,500, to Zaria is N3,000 and to Kano is N5,000. And these prices are what we have been charging even before the season.

“The roads so far are much secured as there are security men everywhere at different points that are making sure travelers are protected. Our major problem is just the cost of fuel.”

Mr Taiwo Usman, Unit Secretary, Branch 3, also reiterated the need for relevant authorities to look into the high cost of fuel in the states.

According to Usman, drivers buy fuel within the western parts of the country between N270 to N330 per litre.

He said, “Things are very difficult for many Nigerians these days and the drivers are not excluded as they also have many bills to pay.

“This increase in cost of fuel in states outside Abuja is not really encouraging drivers to travel, because after expenses, only very little profit is left for them to take care of their families. “So, something really needs to be done about it’’.

Meanwhile, at the Benue Links Park in Area 3, passengers were seen stranded and waiting for vehicle to convey them to their destinations.

A passenger, Miss Mnena David, said she came to the park only to discover that all the vehicles on ground had been fully booked.

According to David, this has always been the practice during festivities and she is used to it.

She said, “For many years now, this is how we come and wait for vehicles each time it is close to Christmas again, the drivers always use the opportunity to increase their fares.

“Can you imagine, today is 23rd and the cost of fare to Makurdi is already N7,000. I am sure that before the end of tomorrow it will be up to N10,000.

Another passenger, Jacob Otive, said, “There is no way I am going to spend my Christmas in Abuja, so no matter the cost I must go to Benue.

“We came prepared to wait and I am sure vehicles will come to convey us, the only problem is that they will hike the price of the fare’’.

At the New Nyanya Park, NAN gathered that the cost of fare for Abuja to Makurdi which used to be N3,000 has been increased to N5,500.

Passengers were seen in their numbers struggling to board the buses in spite of the increased in fares.