Hike In Taxi Fare: Ondo govt Tells Residents What To Do As PDP Fumes

The Ondo state government has asked residents of Ondo state to reject sudden hike in taxi fare which was increased to #100 per drop.

The state government also dissociated itself from the reported hike In daily ticket by taxi drivers from #250 to #700 which necessitated the upward review of taxi fare from #50 per drop to #100.

The development has generated reactions as residents who suddenly woke up to the new price described as inflicting more pains on them especially at a period when payment of half salary by the Akeredolu led administration, coupled with the current hardship in the state.

The Special Adviser to Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu on Transport, Tobi ogunleye said government was not part of the increase.

He blamed the drivers union, NURTW for inflicting pains on the people.

According to the Governor’s aide “I don’t know how they arrived at that but I want to distant this government out of that. The government by our position we don’t have the authority and power to intervene in business of any union.

The issue of #700 per ticket is strange to us, its quite embarrassing. From history, NURTW had not been yielding anything for the state, okada rider, Tricycle drivers have always yielded an appreciable revenue for government and they did not increase their fare. ”

Mr Ogunleye who admitted that taxi driver union increased its taxes to government coffers this year posited that people could reject any price that is not favorable in civil manner.

A taxi driver, Mr Kehinde blamed the ticket hike on collaboration between both government and taxi driver union.

Mr Kehinde explained “‘the ticket we used to pay #250 for has been increased to #700, it is a collaboration between our union and government. ”

PDP Fumes

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ondo State is irked by the arbitrary hike in taxi fare from N50 to N100 per short distance in Akure, the State capital due to increment of the daily levy for taxi drivers from N250 to N700 by the leadership of National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) under Jacob Adebo popular known as Idajo.

It is a generally known fact that Idajo was the arrowhead of a violent wing of the All Progressives Congress (APC) that terrorized Ondo State people before and during Governor Rotimi Akeredolu’s second term bid in October, 2020.

The increment in levy for taxi drivers is a carefully drawn ploy to compensate Idajo for his ignoble roles during the election.

The PDP condemns in strong terms this importunate, inconsiderate, inhuman and insensitive action of the NURTW in a morbid rush to generate revenues that may ultimately find their way into the private pockets of a few privileged allies of the Governor.

Ondo State workers are already under the yoke of salaries that are not only irregular but reduced by 50%.

Why must the governor look the other way while those he enthroned milk the public dry?

Our party thinks that instead of further overburdening the people who are only making ends meet amidst a ravaging pandemic, general unemployment and economic doldrums, the government should have looked inwards by blocking all the loopholes and conduit pipe through which the State resources are being fleeced uncontrollably.

Our party however encourages the people of Ondo State to endure for a little time and pray along in that weeping may endure for a night; but joy comes in the morning.

And the morning is at the door!

Leye Igbabo

Ag. Director of Media and Publicity, PDP Ondo State.

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