By Mitaire Ikpen
ABUJA— Following the removal of fuel subsidy by the Federal Government and the consequent increase in the price of petrol, transport fares on major routes in Abuja have shot up astronomically as transporters literally transferred the burden of the subsidy removal to commuters.

Investigations revealed that bus drivers plying the busy Nyanya to Wuse market route have hiked fares to more than double, charging passengers as much as between N250-N300 from the previous N100 fare.

Similarly, the Nyanya-Area 1 route, which used to cost N70 per passenger, now goes for N200, leaving many passengers stranded at bus stops.

The same increment was noticed within the intra-city transportation as taxi drivers charged as much as N500 for the shortest route as opposed to the usual N250 before the subsidy removal.

Most residents and commuters in Abuja, who spoke with Vanguard, described the removal as ill-timed.

Emmanuel Anyasi, an Abuja-based trader who spoke to Vanguard, said: “I have been following the debate on television and the newspapers on whether the fuel subsidy should be removed or not.

“What we were made to believe from the reports is that the removal, if at all, would be done in April. What have we done to deserve this kind of New Year gift from President Jonathan?”

The trend was no different in several other intra-city routes in Abuja as passengers, who cannot afford the abrupt increase in transportation and are yet to come to terms with the reality, have simply resorted to trekking long distances.

The effect of the New Year day bombshell by Petroleum Products Pricing and Regulatory Agency, PPPRA, announcing the immediate removal of fuel subsidy was spontaneous in the Federal Capital Territory, FCT.

, as petroleum marketers promptly switched to a new price regime within hours, selling old stock petrol between N138.00 and N141.00 without waiting for the official benchmark of the PPPRA.