Commercial minibus operators in Osogbo, Osun State, popularly known as Korope drivers, have staged a peaceful protest over the rising cost of petrol, calling for an upward review of transport fares and increased access to Compressed Natural Gas (CNG).
The drivers gathered around the Aiyetoro area of the state capital on Wednesday and temporarily withdrew their vehicles from the roads to draw attention to the financial pressure facing commercial transport operators.
The protesters said the increase in petrol prices, combined with rising costs of vehicle spare parts, maintenance and other daily expenses, had made their operations increasingly difficult.
One of the drivers, Adewumi Adeleke, said some operators were spending as much as ₦40,000 on petrol daily, leaving them with limited earnings after meeting other operating costs.
Adeleke appealed to the Federal and Osun State governments to make CNG more readily available in Osogbo. He said many commercial drivers were interested in converting their vehicles to CNG but required assistance to make the conversion affordable.
Another driver, Prince Olakunle Ojo, said the current fuel prices had significantly reduced the income available to operators after daily expenses.
He explained that a driver could spend about ₦15,000 on fuel and return home with earnings of approximately ₦13,000, leaving little money for food, vehicle maintenance and family responsibilities.
The drivers also expressed concern about the availability of CNG refuelling facilities in Osun State. They said operators who had converted their vehicles were facing difficulties accessing the alternative fuel because of the limited infrastructure.
The protesters consequently called for an immediate review of transport fares to reflect the current cost of petrol, vehicle maintenance and spare parts.
Another operator, Ariyo Idowu, urged the authorities to provide and improve designated bus stops across Osogbo, saying better transport facilities would help organise commercial operations.
The drivers warned that they could withdraw their services for an extended period, including a possible week-long strike, if their concerns were not addressed.
The protest comes amid renewed pressure on transport operators following the recent increase in petrol prices. Rising fuel costs have also contributed to concerns about transportation expenses and household living costs across the country.
The Federal Government has been promoting CNG as an alternative to petrol, with President Bola Tinubu recently directing greater efforts to expand CNG conversion and refuelling infrastructure and reduce transportation costs. The government said more than 120,000 vehicles had been converted nationwide and that more than 90 CNG refuelling stations were operating across the country.
The Osogbo drivers urged government authorities and transport unions to engage them in dialogue and consider measures that could reduce operating costs while keeping transportation affordable for commuters.
