Some residents of Rivers State have expressed concern over the rising cost of dispatch services, describing the increasing delivery charges as a growing financial burden on customers.
Speaking with Today FM, residents said the cost of sending and receiving items has continued to rise, making it difficult for many people to patronize dispatch services regularly.
While some acknowledged that the increase in fuel prices may have contributed to higher delivery costs, they argued that the current charges are excessive and unfair. Others maintained that dispatch fees had been increasing even before the latest fuel price adjustments, suggesting that the current economic situation is being used to justify another round of price hikes.
Small business owners who depend on dispatch riders to deliver goods to customers said the rising charges are affecting their operations. They explained that higher delivery costs often translate into increased product prices, while in some cases they are forced to absorb part of the cost to remain competitive, reducing their profit margins.
Responding to the concerns, some dispatch company operators attributed the higher service charges to the increasing cost of fuel and other operational expenses.
One operator said a litre of petrol is often insufficient to complete a single delivery, adding that the steady rise in fuel prices has significantly increased the cost of running dispatch businesses, making it difficult to maintain previous delivery rates.
