PWDs Lament Rising Transportation Costs Under Tinubu

Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) are facing higher transportation costs following the recent increase in petrol prices, MOUTHPIECE NGR has learnt.

Petrol prices have risen to between N1,400 and N1,450 per litre in parts of Ilorin, Abuja, Oyo and other major cities following a recent increase in the wholesale price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS).

While the increase has pushed up transport fares for Nigerians generally, PWDs say they are feeling the impact more severely, as many cannot easily resort to cheaper alternatives such as walking, taking longer routes or using overcrowded public transport.

Speaking with MOUTHPIECE NGR, Chris Agbo, Chairman of the National Association of Persons With Physical Disabilities, said unlike able-bodied commuters who could decide to walk when a destination is relatively close, he has no such option.

“For a person who can use his legs normally, if a place is not that far, the person can decide to trek. But for me, I must pay to get there,” he said.

He said this means even short journeys that would ordinarily require little or no transport cost for other commuters have become an additional financial burden for him.

Another person living with a physical disability, Timothy Olufemi, said the cost of public transportation has become more difficult because many PWDs in Oyo State often have to pay for additional space to accommodate their mobility needs.

He noted that the development has forced many PWDs to stay at home, as a wheelchair or other mobility equipment makes it impossible for them to occupy only the conventional space allocated to one passenger.

He maintained that for visually impaired commuters, the burden is even greater, as they often require assistance to travel and have to pay for themselves and the person accompanying them.

It is unarguable that the recent fuel price increase has added another layer to the challenges faced by PWDs, many of whom depend heavily on commercial transport to access workplaces, schools, hospitals, markets, government offices and other public facilities.

For many able-bodied commuters, higher transport fares may be partly mitigated by walking short distances, using bicycles or choosing cheaper transport options. However, such alternatives are often inaccessible or impractical for people with mobility and visual impairments.

The problem is further compounded by the limited accessibility of public transportation, including vehicles that are not designed to accommodate wheelchairs and other mobility devices.

As transport operators transfer higher fuel costs to commuters through increased fares, PWDs say they have little room to adjust their transportation needs.

The development also raises questions about the implementation of Nigeria’s disability rights framework, particularly provisions aimed at ensuring equal participation and access for persons with disabilities.

Disability advocates have repeatedly called for accessible transportation and infrastructure to enable PWDs to participate fully in economic and social activities.

The latest fuel price increase, however, threatens to make mobility even more expensive for a group already facing barriers to employment, education, healthcare and other essential services.