Civil servants in Abuja are increasingly turning their private vehicles into commercial transport amid the ongoing rise in fuel prices. The current economic conditions are pushing many to adopt alternative survival strategies, including providing transportation services to earn additional income.
To alleviate the burden of increasing fuel costs, many civil servants and personal vehicle owners have started using their cars for ride-sharing services such as Uber and Bolt, often during their downtime or weekends. This shift is not primarily for profit but rather a means of survival.
During conversations with Weekend Trust, some civil servants indicated that the conversion of their personal vehicles to commercial use is essential for coping with daily expenses caused by the rising cost of living.
Recently, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) called for measures such as a cost-of-living allowance, wage increases, and tax reductions to help mitigate the impact of the fuel price surge attributed to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.
The NLC, in a statement from its president, Joe Ajaero, expressed concern that the hike in petrol prices has intensified economic hardships for Nigerians. They emphasized that the federal government must not disregard actions that could relieve the populace.
The NLC posits that the government must take proactive approaches to alleviate public suffering, rather than passively attributing the crisis to international conflicts. Their demands emerged shortly after the Nigeria Press Organisation (NPO) appealed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu regarding import tariffs on newsprint and broadcasting materials.
As the NLC highlighted, Nigerians are becoming increasingly vulnerable to the fluctuations in global oil prices aggravated by the Middle East crisis, reflecting the fragile state of Nigeria’s petroleum sector and deepening the struggles faced by workers and their families. They assert that Nigerian workers are not merely data points but a critical element of national progress.
With civil servants facing harsh living conditions, swift actions are needed to prevent further escalation of these issues. They demand serious dialogue with Nigerian workers and the wider community, emphasizing that using foreign conflicts as an excuse for domestic hardships is unacceptable. Their top priorities include action, justice, and survival.
On major routes connecting suburban areas like Mararaba and Lugbe to the Central Business District, it has become routine to see private car owners offering rides for a fee during their daily commutes. Many civil servants opt for this arrangement not as a profit-driven venture, but as a necessary response to soaring fuel prices, which have exceeded N1,200 per litre at numerous fuel stations throughout the nation, including Abuja.
Usman Danladi, a civil servant from Mararaba, remarked that the escalating fuel costs make commuting unaffordable without seeking financial assistance from passengers. He explained, "The current fuel prices have essentially pushed every vehicle owner to act as a taxi driver. With petrol averaging N1,330 a litre, managing the existing salary while covering fuel expenses is unrealistic. So, I take four or five passengers with me to work and back home to ease that burden."
Danladi expressed frustration over the contradictory nature of Nigeria's oil wealth and the challenges faced by citizens with high fuel prices.
“Despite having crude oil and refineries in Nigeria, ordinary citizens still endure such hardships. The government must act to change this,” he stated.
Moreover, Danladi noted the risks private motorists face when picking up passengers, particularly the harassment from transport union enforcers known as ‘agberos.’ He warns that being caught carrying passengers can lead to heavy penalties, emphasizing the unfairness of a system that punishes individuals for modestly trying to manage their expenses.
Another civil servant, Akeem Oladele, residing in Lugbe, stated that while the financial returns from carrying passengers are small, they are crucial for coping with today's economic pressures.
"The financial gain isn’t significant, but given the near doubling of fuel costs, taking on passengers is a necessary measure to handle my expenses," he noted.
Conversations with various private vehicle owners revealed a common sentiment—that this practice is not viewed as a commercial enterprise, but rather as a necessary means of sharing costs and making ends meet. They often rely on the fares collected from passengers to help subsidize their fuel expenses.
Motorists said that the system tends to become more organized during peak hours, particularly in the evening when commuters struggle to find transport. During these times, informal coordinators, often referred to as touts or agberos, help manage the flow of passengers and typically receive a small fee for their assistance.
Public affairs analyst Mustapha Kabir pointed out that this growing trend illustrates the deteriorating economic circumstances for civil servants. He explained that many are struggling to meet family needs due to declining purchasing power compared to previous years.
Kabir further noted how commuting has evolved from a straightforward activity into a survival tactic, observing, "Years ago, commuting from places like Lugbe was manageable and affordable. Today, with the price of fuel, it's nearly impossible for someone with a private vehicle to drive alone. Sharing rides helps ease the financial strain and keep their vehicle operational."
He acknowledged that some vehicle owners are concerned about wear and tear on their cars due to increased usage but view it as a necessary compromise to navigate rising living costs.
"For the majority of civil servants, the focus is on survival rather than making a profit. If you have a family, you have to find ways to ensure there’s food on the table," Kabir concluded.
As fuel prices continue to rise and public transportation options remain limited, the trend of private drivers acting as commercial transports is becoming increasingly prevalent in Abuja, highlighting the mounting pressure on workers navigating the tough economic landscape.
Concerns Over Security Risks
Security and intelligence expert Kabiru Adamu has raised alarms about the potential security dangers posed by civil servants using their vehicles for commercial rides in Abuja. He noted that this trend could expose them to significant threats, such as kidnapping or theft.
Adamu, who heads Beacon Security and Intelligence Limited, stated that while this practice may bring some economic comfort, it also introduces vulnerabilities that must be addressed proactively by government entities.
"Government agencies can mitigate risks by educating civil servants about the dangers of offering rides to strangers," he advocated in an interview.
Adamu warned that many public employees might not be fully informed about the implications of transporting unknown passengers, particularly in a city like Abuja, where many handle sensitive government data.
He raised important questions about the safety practices of individuals picking up passengers, urging them to be cautious about where they source riders. He suggested that government ministries should track any criminal incidents involving public employees engaged in ridesharing.
"For example, if employees from the Ministry of Petroleum fall victim to crime while providing rides, such cases should be reported to relevant security ministries. This documentation could reveal patterns that help establish preventive measures," he urged.
Adamu called for stringent actions against offenders, emphasizing that an effective criminal justice system must punish wrongdoers decisively to deter future crimes.
When questioned about the government's consideration of regulations addressing this phenomenon, Adamu remarked that he had not seen any current policy discussions. However, he acknowledged the role of media advocacy in potentially influencing future regulations.
He proposed that safeguards might include restricting roadside pickups, permitting only registered vehicles to operate commercially, and enabling law enforcement to enforce transport regulations. Ultimately, he stressed the importance of awareness and education for civil servants regarding their vulnerabilities, alongside the integration of security training into their career development programs.
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