October 20, (THEWILL) – Many car owners in the Kano metropolis have abandoned their vehicles and resorted to riding motorcycles and bicycles due to the prevailing high price of fuel in the area.
Following the recent increases in the pump price of petrol by the NNPC and Independent Marketers, the commodity now sells for between N1,070 and N1,150 per litre in the commercial city, compelling car owners to take drastic measures.
An investigation by THEWILL in the northern city revealed that the car owners have parked their vehicles and bought electric and petrol-powered motorcycles which they now ride to reach their various destinations, as they can no longer afford to fuel their cars.
Others, the investigation found, simply bought bicycles of various brands to avoid the prohibitive petrol prices.
Sabi’u Usman is one of the car owners who told our Correspondent that he had parked his Toyota Salon vehicle and bought an electric motorcycle which he now rides to and from his various destinations.
“My brother, I have realised that I can no longer afford to buy fuel for my car due to the high pump price of the commodity, and so, I parked the car and bought this electric motorcycle, which is much cheaper to maintain.
“All I need is to be charging the vehicle using the electrical outlets in my house according to my movement needs. I use the car only for emergency purposes such as transporting my family to the hospital when they fall sick”, Usman, a businessman, said.
Another motorist, Ibrahim Ishaq, says he now uses a petrol-powered motorcycle for his transportation needs as it is cheaper to maintain than his Honda car which he has since taken off the road.
“I buy about N5,000 worth of fuel for my new motorcycle which sustains me for one week, and which is by far cheaper than running my car. I used to spend an average of N20,000 to purchase petrol for the car and that would finish before the week ran out. I found the expenses too high and unrealistic,” Ishaq, a retired civil servant, explained.
But for Dahiru Bala, a petty contractor, the bicycle is the answer to the situation, as he sold off his Volkswagen car and bought a bicycle to cater for his transportation needs.
Bala told our Correspondent that because he could no longer afford fuel for the car, he sold the vehicle but again, realised that he could not afford a motorcycle.
“I sold the car for N1.2 million, and I needed about that amount on even more, to buy a motorcycle. That was not feasible because I needed part of the money to take care of some other personal needs.
“I bought the bicycle at N100,000 and I find it much cheaper to maintain than a car or motorcycle. I am also glad about the health benefits of the bicycle as I use it to exercise my body,” he added.
The investigation also found that motorcycles and bicycle dealers are doing brisk business in the city, due to the development, selling the vehicles at cut-throat prices.
THEWILL gathered that the price of a good electric or petrol-powered motorcycle starts from N1 million, while bicycles cost N100,000 and above.
Abdullahi Yusuf is a seasoned journalist, communicator and was previously the Deputy Editor-In-Chief and Zonal Manager, News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, Jos, where he retired on December 15, 2021
