President Tinubu has authorized a substantial discount of 50% on road transport fares across Nigeria, aiming to facilitate easier travel for Nigerians during the festive season. This initiative was revealed by Dele Alake, the Minister of Solid Mineral Development, during a press briefing at the State House.
Alake, acting as the chairman of the Inter-ministerial Committee on Presidential Intervention, alongside Alhaji Mohammed Idris (Minister of Information and National Orientation), Saidu Alkali (Minister of Transportation), and Bayo Onanuga (Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy), provided intricate details about the presidential intervention aimed at alleviating the financial burden on travelers, especially the masses intending to reunite with their families during this festive period.
The discounted fare, approved by President Tinubu, is effective from Thursday, December 21, 2023, until January 4, 2024.
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“In the spirit of Christmas and demonstration of his love for Nigerians as proof, he feels the federal government should intervene to bring down the costs of public transportation to allow persons who want to travel to visit their loved ones,” Alake said in a statement.
“It is in this wise that the Federal Government is announcing, beginning from tomorrow, a special discounted holiday season fare on road transport and zero-fare by rail across Nigeria.
“This special presidential intervention will commence tomorrow Thursday, December 21. It will end on January 4, 2024.
“The Federal Government through the Ministry of Transportation will be working with transporters, road transport unions, and Nigerian Railway Corporation to seamlessly deliver on this special presidential initiative.
“From tomorrow, Nigerians wishing to embark on inter-state travel to any part of the country from Abuja, Lagos, Kano, Kaduna, Enugu, Port Harcourt, Owerri, Ibadan, Akure, Maiduguri, Sokoto and other major inter-state transportation hubs will be able to do so at half the cost.”
The special offer includes a 50% discount on public transportation via minibuses and luxury buses, as well as zero-fare rail services throughout Nigeria. Alake highlighted the significance of this intervention, emphasizing its commencement on December 21 and continuation until January 4, 2024.
Efforts to seamlessly execute this initiative involve collaboration between the Federal Government, the Ministry of Transportation, road transport unions, and the Nigerian Railway Corporation. Transport firms enlisted for the 50% fare reduction include GIG (God is Good) Motors, Chisco Transport, Young Shall Grow, God Bless Ezenwata, and Area Motor, utilizing 51-seater luxurious buses.
Update for travellers: God Is Good( GiG) will be rolling out pilot phase today at two GiG locations in Lagos:
1. GIG mobility terminal Jibowu, Lagos.
2. GIG mobility terminal AJAH, Lagos pic.twitter.com/QCdjTtUl3b
— Bayo Onanuga (@aonanuga1956) December 21, 2023
However, despite the announcement, there are indications that several transport companies have yet to fully comply with the initiative, potentially affecting the smooth implementation of the scheme. Alake, along with the committee, has assured Nigerians of ongoing efforts to ensure the effective implementation of this presidential directive.
The initiative covers 28 interstate routes, allowing travelers from major hubs such as Lagos, Abuja, Kano, Kaduna, Enugu, Port Harcourt, and others to benefit from the reduced fares during this festive period. The President’s decision aims to ease the financial strain on Nigerians and foster a joyous and connected holiday season for families across the nation.