Ekiti state Govt Clamps Down on Excessive Travel Charges

The Ekiti State Government has issued a strict directive to transport unions, ordering an immediate reversal of recent fare hikes across the state. The administration of Governor Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji (BAO) declared there is no economic justification for the increases, citing the current stability in fuel prices.

Senior officials, including Hon. Dele Owoju and Prince Adeniyi Adedipe, were seen personally monitoring major parks in the state capital, Ado-Ekiti, to enforce the order on Wednesday.

The government’s position was firmly articulated by the Commissioner for Transportation, Hon. Ajobiewe. He condemned what he termed “excessive and unacceptable” charges by some operators, specifically citing fares as high as ₦20,000 for the Ado-Ekiti to Lagos route and ₦12,000 to Ibadan.

According to the commissioner, approved fares have now been set for key routes:

· Ado-Ekiti to Lagos: Between ₦10,000 and ₦11,000.

· Ado-Ekiti to Ibadan: Between ₦5,000 and ₦6,000.

· Intra-state motorcycle (Okada) rides: A flat rate of ₦300 per drop.

This state-level action aligns with a broader warning from the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC). The national agency has cautioned transport operators against arbitrary price increases and is urging the public to report any incidents of unfair pricing practices.

The crackdown signals the government’s intent to shield residents from what it views as exploitative fare adjustments amidst the ongoing national cost-of-living challenges.