Working People United (WoPU) has urged transport operators, haulage companies and food distributors to reduce their charges in response to the Federal Government’s 30-day petrol intervention, warning that workers may not benefit from lower fuel costs if transportation fares and food prices remain high.
The movement said the success of the intervention should be measured by its impact on the cost of commuting, food and other essential goods, rather than changes in petrol prices alone.

In a statement, the National Coordinator-General of WoPU, Williams Akporeha, commended President Bola Tinubu for the intervention but called on transporters to pass on any genuine savings in operating expenses to passengers and consumers.
He said transportation costs played a significant role in determining food prices, adding that lower haulage charges could ease pressure on household budgets if the savings were reflected across the distribution chain.
The movement urged commercial drivers, logistics companies and food distributors to review their charges, particularly the cost of moving agricultural produce and other essential commodities across the country.
It said the intervention would offer limited relief to workers if petrol costs declined without corresponding reductions in the cost of transportation and distribution.

“The benefits of this intervention should not end at the filling stations; they should extend to our markets, homes and workplaces,” it said.
The call comes amid persistent pressure on workers’ incomes from the cost of transportation and essential commodities, which consume a significant share of household earnings.

WoPU said workers, traders and small business owners could benefit from the intervention if lower petrol costs translated into cheaper commuting and more affordable food.
It, however, cautioned that reductions in fuel costs would not automatically lead to lower food prices, noting that agricultural production expenses, distribution challenges and other supply-chain costs could continue to influence market prices.

The movement also called on relevant government agencies to monitor the intervention and promote transparent pricing practices to ensure that consumers benefited from any genuine reductions in operating costs.
It urged the government to complement the measure with sustained efforts to address the structural factors driving the cost of living, including high agricultural production costs and inadequate transportation infrastructure.
WoPU said the 30-day period should provide an opportunity for government, businesses and transport operators to demonstrate a shared commitment to easing the economic burden on Nigerian households.
It added that economic interventions should ultimately be judged by whether they improved living conditions and strengthened the purchasing power of working people.