Nigerian senators have called for the immediate suspension of the recent increase in domestic airfares after one way ticket prices rose to between four hundred and sixty thousand naira and seven hundred thousand naira depending on the route.
The demand was made during Tuesday’s plenary, where lawmakers moved a motion summoning the aviation minister, Festus Keyamo SAN, to explain the sharp rise in fares.
While supporting the motion, Senator Adamu Aliero of Kebbi Central said the cost of flying from Abuja to his state has climbed to about seven hundred thousand naira. He described the situation as unaffordable.
He said, “The airfare is too exorbitant. Going to Kebbi myself, I have to spend close to about N700k. This is unaffordable.
“There has not been a corresponding increase in aviation fuel and airport charges. So we need to summon all the stakeholders and question them on the reason for the hike.”
Senator Onyekaci Nwaebonyi of Ebonyi North also expressed concern, revealing that a one way ticket from Abuja to Enugu now goes for between four hundred and sixty thousand naira and five hundred thousand naira.
He said, “I called my personal assistant to get the ticket for me for December 13th from Abuja to Enugu. Shockingly, the cost for a one way ticket from Abuja to Enugu is N500,000 with Air Peace and N460,000 for Ibom Air. This is unheard of.”
Senator Abdulfatai Buhari of Oyo said the rising cost of travel has made movement extremely difficult for many Nigerians.
He said, “Nigerians are finding it very difficult to travel from one place to another, Mr President. Will you believe that from Abuja to Lagos ranges from 400,000 to 650,000 and then from here Enugu is about 500,000 and even from Abuja to Ilorin is 550,000. When we noticed all these, the committee decided to investigate further and we found out poor people cannot afford to travel looking at the festive period.
“Mr President, it is important that we wade in to help Nigerians because of this festive period that is coming for people who want to move from one place to another, particularly since our road is becoming difficult to travel on. We decided to interact with airline owners. They have also had one or two teams.”
The rising ticket costs come at a time when many Nigerians are preparing for end of year travel, adding pressure on families ahead of the festive season.
