The economic impact of removal of fuel subsidy, which resulted to hike in pump price of petroleum, is biting harder on Nigerians.
BizPoint has observed that the upward review of the price of petroleum has forced many motorists to drop their motor vehicles and use commercial transportation as they could not afford to buy fuel at the exorbitant price.
This economic decision by the motor vehicle owners had inflicted hardship on the motor mechanics, who solely rely on motorists to earn a living.
As the number of motor vehicles on the roads across the Kano city is being reduced day by day after the removal of fuel subsidy, so the motor garage are deserted.
In a visit to one garage in the Kano metropolis, our reporter observed that majority of the mechanics were sleeping as no work to do as only a few, believed to be apprentice working on one car.
The usual generator and panel beating sounds had now become rare as there is no work to use the machines.
A mechanic in the garage, Bazallahi Abubakar attributed to low patronage by customers with the current increase in price of petroleum that forced many motorists to abandon their motor vehicles.
Abubakar, a steery mechanic said since the removal of subsidy, their business is facing challenges as majority of his customers had dropped their cars at home, thereby opting for commercial transportation or even trekking.
He decried that his income had become so low as he is finding it difficult to fend for his family as he used to do before the removal of fuel subsidy.
According to him, before the price of petroleum skyrocketed, especially in the rainy season, he used to make at least N15,000 a day.
However, even as it is a rainy season now, when steery and power pump mostly get broken, he hardly make N5,000 in a week.
“The situation is really devastating. Our business is facing threat with the current fuel crisis. I hardly make N5,000 in a week now, unlike before this increase in fuel pump price, i could make up to N20,000 a day. It is almost everywhere. Garages are deserted due to this situation.
“To be sincere, we are suffering. Look at how my garage is deserted. You use to come to this garage, you know how busy and noisy it was.
“But now, even the sound of generator and panel beating have become new to us. This situation, if it continues like this, we will suffer a lot.
“We have family. We have children, if this situation continues, how do we pay our children’s school fees?
“We appealed to the president to intervene and provide ways to reduce this fuel price and reduce our suffering,” Abubakar appealed.
