West: drivers and roadside fuel vendors increase transport fares by 20%
24 hours after the increase in the prices of petroleum products in Cameroon, the impact is already being felt by passengers plying the national number 6 road linking the West to the North West region.
Transportation costs have been increased by at least 20% along the stretch. Passengers who used to disburse F CFA 250 from Toumaka to Mbouda, will now have to add an extra F CFA 50 to cover the same distance.
“This decision from our government is too strong. My parents use to give me FCFA 500 and this morning my dad gave me the same FCFA 500 and the driver is asking 300 for my transport fare. How will I return?” questions a student who uses the road on a daily basis.
“I paid FCFA 1000 from Matazem to Bamendousso this morning. As a trader, it is not easy for me. Prices of goods increased recently and now transport, how will we live in our own country?” a trader said speaking to CNA at the Bamendousso periodic market in Babadjou this morning.
Drivers on their part say the increase was not a surprise to them.
“I knew this was coming,” one of them said.
“With this increase, we are obliged to add prices,” the driver added.
As many are complaining about the price increase, some in the black market are still satisfied. It is the case with traders in the adulterated fuel sector commonly called “zoa zoa” who have also automatically increased prices. They now sell a litre of their product at F CFA 700 instead of the F CFA 600 it cost before.
“Even when the prices of pump fuel were F CFA 630 per liter, I used to buy this zoa zoa. This increase that the government has made has no effect on me,” a bike owner speaks out.
“I’m obliged to divert from pump fuel to this untreated version even though I know the negative effects it could have on my vehicle. The prices are too high,” another driver tells us.
The new fuel prices went into effect on Wednesday February 1st following a decision from the government through the Secretary General at the Prime Minister’s office.
