By IFEOMA AKA

Commercial drivers who transport passengers and goods across the country have expressed concern over the numerous challenges they encounter on highways, resulting in high transport fares.

In separate interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Enugu on Tuesday, the drivers called for urgent interventions of governments and relevant authorities ahead of the Yuletide.

The commercial drivers listed the challenges to include bad roads, frequent traffic congestion, armed robbery, kidnapping, high fuel prices, excessive vehicle maintenance costs, and inadequate security.

A long distance driver, Mr Henry Obiekwe, revealed that those challenges resulted in high cost of transportation costs and also threatened their lives and the safety of their passengers.

He explained that one of the major problems confronting commercial drivers was the poor condition of many highways which included potholes, damaged bridges, narrow roads, and unfinished road projects, which often make journeys longer and more dangerous.

According to him, the Abuja-Kogi Road down to the South-East and others, are death traps.

“It is also a similar thing on Lagos- Benin-Asaba roads where transporters and passengers spend a whole day to get to their destinations.

“Also, some portions of the Enugu – Port Harcourt Expressway are caving in.

“This is a serious problem that requires urgent intervention from the Federal Government during the dry season,” he said.

Another driver, Mr John Isife, pointed out that another serious concern was insecurity, adding that drivers had reportedly encountered armed robbers and kidnappers while travelling through isolated areas, particularly at night.

He said that fear of attacks had forced some drivers to avoid certain routes or suspend night journeys, resulting in delays and reduced income.

Isife also lamented that the rising cost of fuel and vehicle maintenance had also placed a heavy financial burden on commercial drivers.

“Frequent increases in fuel prices, coupled with the high cost of spare parts and repairs, had made it difficult for drivers to operate profitably.

“Some drivers have resorted to increasing transport fares, a development that places additional pressure on passengers who are already struggling with the high cost of living,” he said.

The driver said that long hours behind the steering wheel exposed drivers to physical and mental exhaustion.

“Some drivers, in an attempt to meet daily financial targets, continue driving, even when they are tired.

“This practice can reduce concentration and increase the likelihood of road accidents” he said.

They appealed to the government to rehabilitate major roads, strengthen security patrols, and introduce measures that would reduce the financial pressure on transport operators especially as the Christmas season was fast approaching.

Meanwhile, some passengers have narrated their experiences while making intercity trips.

Mrs Anthonia Ugwu, a businesswoman, said that she spent several hours traveling from Lagos to Enugu by road describing it as a “horrible experience “.

“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,” Ugwu said.

She urged commercial transport operators to maintain their vehicles regularly, observe speed limits, and avoid driving when exhausted.

“As Christmas is fast approaching, government should prioritise rehabilitation of roads especially in the South-East and South South,” she said. (NAN)