Commercial transport operators in Kaduna on Wednesday attributed downturn in business to torrential rains which began on Tuesday saying that the development kept commuters at bay.
Some of the operators who spoke with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) said persistent rainfall in the past two days made it difficult for commuters to leave their homes.
The exception, they said, were those who desperately needed to go out.
The development, according to some of them, had a negative effect on their earnings since they could not meet their daily remittances to vehicle owners.
Mr Malik Khalid, a tricycle operator told NAN that the usual morning rush had reduced making him and his colleagues to spend longer time queuing up at their respective parks waiting for commuters to arrive.
“Tuesday and Wednesday have not been funny because of the rains which usually begin from night into the day.
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“This season is usually known for poor profit for motorcycle or tricycle operators due to poor weather,’’ he explained.
Mr Danladi Maitulare, another tricycle operator also noted that some operators did not even bother to come out in the morning hours, especially when it rained.
“It is better sometimes to stay back at home than come out and be burning fuel up and down.
“While some operators take advantage of the rains, others end up wasting fuel and finding it difficult to break even,’’ Maitulare noted.
Mr Frank Ehis, a commercial motorcycle operator said the rains made him to struggle unusually to meet his daily remittance of N3,000.
“Commuters are hardly to come by when it is raining as most of them prefer to enter tricycles or take buses,’’ he lamented.
Mallam Iliyasu Kabir, a commercial bus driver also admitted to poor patronage at the peak of the rainy season saying that drivers were already used to it.
“You cannot blame nature as everything has its time.
“Just as we complain of the rains affecting our business, farmers are happy because of the impact on their crops,’’ he said.
Mrs Lami Danladi, a Kaduna resident said job demands made some people to defy the rains in spite of the discomfort.
“If you are a banker or a nurse for instance, the rains cannot be an excuse not to be at work when due,’’ she noted.
Mr Bulus Ishaku, a student said except when it became necessary, especially during examination period or tests, attendance at lecture theatres was usually scanty because of the rains. (NAN)