President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s proposed 50 per cent interstate transport fare price slash will kickoff on Tuesday, December 24.
The the price slash which was initially planned to commence on December 20, 2024, will now begin on December 24, The PUNCH reports.
The slash is targeted at cushioning the high transport costs on those desiring to travel to be with their loved one during the Yuletide.
Recall that the Federal Government through the Ministry of Transportation last Thursday announced that it had agreed with stakeholders in the road transport sector to support Nigerians who will be travelling during the Yuletide.
Recall that the Government had said it would pay 50 per cent of travellers transport fare. This is even as it stated that it would commence free rail transportation for citizens on December 20, 2024.
According to the Director of Press and Public Relations, Federal Ministry of Transportation, Olujimi Oyetomi, the gesture was part of a broader effort of President Bola Tinubu to provide transportation palliatives for Nigerians celebrating the Christmas and New Year.
Oyeyemi noted that the agreement was signed between the Federal Government and key transport stakeholders. These include; the National Union of Road Transport Workers, the Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria, and the Association of Luxurious Bus Owners of Nigeria, among others.
He explained that in the arrangement, passengers departing from Abuja and Lagos (Oshodi) to various destinations across the country would pay only half the usual fare.
However, on Sunday, The PUNCH reported that the 50 per cent road price slash would have started on December 20. It, however, could not due to some issues with documentation, which are currently being resolved.
“A senior official in the transportation ministry who spoke in confidence due to lack of authorization to speak on the matter confirmed the development. It stated that while the rail was targeted at lifting 340,000 Nigerians during and after the Yuletide, information on the road transportation gesture remained sketchy.
“The Minister will most likely unveil the scheme tomorrow (Monday) at the Eagles Square. And detailed information on the development will be given accordingly.
“We were supposed to commence on the (December) 20th but for some imperfection. By God’s grace, it should commence on Tuesday. But the MoU and others have been adequately signed,” The PUNCH quoted the source.
When contacted, the Chief Executive Officer of God is Good Motors, Enahoro Ekhae, confirmed signing the MoU. He, however, noted that the scheme had yet to start.
“Yes, we indeed signed an MoU, but we are yet to start the implementation,” he said.
When asked about the reason for the delay he replied, “It is the government that can tell that. We as GIGM, will commence once we agree with the government to start.”
Meanwhile it was gathered from the Federal Ministry of Finance on Sunday that the initiative was delayed due to funding challenges, The PUNCH stated.
“The programme, which was expected to commence on December 20, had been stalled as transport unions await payments promised under the scheme.
Impeccable sources at the finance ministry told The PUNCH that efforts to secure funds from the were ongoing. With stakeholders optimistic about a resolution in the coming days.
The initiative, which is in partnerships with transport unions, was to commence at the Eagle Square in Abuja. But it failed to take off as scheduled.
“We have signed the MoU, but the thing is that the Minister is of the opinion that the transport unions ought to get their money before they start. So, that we can have accurate records,” a source at the finance ministry stated
“The thing is that the transportation minister has been going to the finance ministry to get the money, which includes that of the rail.”
The rail component of the initiative is continuing because it is exclusively managed by the Federal Government. That of road transport remains stalled due to the absence of government-owned buses.
“The route involves transportation unions. The Federal Government does not have buses that it can put out to run the show. We want the transport unions to take ownership and to run it. They are also to account for the money that is given to them. This is because we have some monitoring instruments,” the source explained.
Despite efforts to secure funds, the process has been slow. “He (the minister) has been going to finance. He couldn’t get the money. So, that’s why we couldn’t start.”
The plan includes a payment of 50 per cent of an agreed average fare to transport unions for each route. This covers road trips from Abuja to state capitals, and from Oshodi in Lagos to other destinations.
“The Government is supposed to pay the transport unions 50 per cent of the average that we already arrived at for each of the routes,” the source clarified.
“However, no funds have been disbursed yet, leaving transport unions unable to mobilize,” the source said.
“All transport unions that we signed the MOU with will have to bring vehicles to Eagle Square. So, nobody has been given money yet. Therefore, everybody has been asked to be on hold.”
source: Punch
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