By Ayan Ayanfeoluwa
Fuel scarcity leading to an increase in transportation fares has taken a toll on students of Abraham Adesanya Polytechnic (AAPOLY). This situation has caused students to skip classes, resulting in dwindling interest in academics.
Different states in Nigeria, including Ogun, began experiencing another round of fuel scarcity in April, leading to hikes in transportation fares. Despite the federal government's efforts to supply fuel, transportation fares have yet to drop, affecting AAPOLY students.
Bankole Odubanjo, a National Diploma 2 student and Vice President of the Association of Student Communicators (ASCOM), said fuel scarcity has made life difficult for him.
"Since the day I got admitted to this school, I have never spent more than #500 on transport, but now everything has changed. I am now paying #1000 for transport alone. We ND2 students are expected to attend lectures at the main campus like other departments, but we have decided not to go. How do you expect us to cope when lectures start at 8 a.m. and end at 10 a.m., and we still have to return to Abusi for another lecture that starts exactly at 10 a.m.? Calculating the expenses won't be easy," he said.
He requested that the school management provide cabs for students at the Abusi annex campus to mitigate the impact of the fuel scarcity on students.
Another student, Idowu Oluwanifemi from the mass communication department, noted that the changes in transportation fares have made it difficult for him and his colleagues to attend classes, adding that feeding has also been difficult.
"Since the beginning of this semester, I have been paying double the amount I normally pay for transportation. These changes are affecting almost every student in AAPOLY because there's no money, we are suffering, and everything is just getting harder every day.
"For us to remove the little money that we have is a very hard thing to do because sometimes, the money that we are supposed to use to eat we spend on transportation instead. In a week, we are supposed to be present in school for five days, but I only come to school twice a week because the transport fare is too much and I can't afford it," he said.
A student of Accountancy, Asipa Damilare, also spoke about this issue.
"The sudden changes are really affecting me because sometimes I travel to Ago Iwoye with just #200, but now it is double, which is #400. I felt heartbroken when it was announced that there wouldn't be any lectures on the Abusi campus, only on the main campus every Thursday. Considering the distance, my house to the main campus is a little far, and it will cost me #1000 every Thursday just for transport alone. So, I felt like, why would I be spending that kind of money just for lectures? I have made up my mind that I won’t attend any lectures on the main campus," he emphasized.
Fuel Prices Affect Traders On Campus
Vendors on the Abusi annex campus have also been affected by the increase in fuel prices, leading to poor sales.
According to Adelaja Oluwaranti, students have been affected by the increase in fuel prices, which has affected her sales and made her lose customers.
"I have been on this campus for the past two years, and the issue of fuel scarcity is affecting me. I have a generator at home, but instead of bringing it to my shop so that customers will be more comfortable, I couldn't bring it because of the fuel scarcity. Thanks to NEPA, we are managing to make customers feel relieved.
"The increase in fuel prices has also caused inconvenience for students because they are unable to feed themselves. This situation is affecting my sales and causing me to lose consistent customers, which is decreasing my profits instead of increasing them. However, I have no choice but to bear with it," she said.
She called on the government to bring down the price of fuel, emphasizing that if it isn't controlled, the economy could worsen.
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