President Tinubu has approved a 50% discount on road transport travel across the country to reduce the travel fee burden for Nigerians during the festive season.
The announcement, made by the Minister of Solid Mineral Development, Dele Alake, points to the President’s goal of alleviating the challenges citizens face due to fuel price increases, added to the hike during the holiday period.
According to Alake, who also chairs the Inter-ministerial Committee on Presidential Intervention, the decision manifests President Tinubu’s commitment towards the Nigerian people.
The Inter-ministerial Committee on Presidential Intervention, comprising Alhaji Mohammed Idris, the Minister of Information and National Orientation; Saidu Alkali, the Minister of Transportation; and Bayo Onanuga, the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, provided detailed insights into the initiative.
The discounted fares will be applicable between December 21, 2023, and January 4, 2024, covering a substantial period when many Nigerians traditionally embark on journeys to be with their families and friends.
Minister Dele Alake, in delivering the announcement, emphasised the altruistic intentions behind the presidential intervention. He stated, “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.”
Furthermore, he outlined the practical aspects of the initiative, saying, “What this means is that from tomorrow, Nigerians willing to travel can board public transport via minibuses, luxury buses at a 50% discount of current cost and all our train services on the routes the trains currently serve at zero cost to and fro on their travels this holiday season.”
The Minister also assured the public that the Federal Government, through the Ministry of Transportation, would work closely with transporters, road transport unions, and the Nigerian Railway Corporation to ensure the seamless execution of this special presidential initiative.
Starting from December 21, individuals wishing to embark on inter-state travel from major hubs such as Abuja, Lagos, Kano, Kaduna, Enugu, Port Harcourt, Owerri, Ibadan, Akure, Maiduguri, Sokoto, and other significant transportation centers will be able to do so at half the cost. This move is expected to have far-reaching positive effects on the masses, facilitating a sense of unity and connection during the holiday season.
As news of the discounted fares spread, Nigerians have expressed gratitude for the government’s thoughtful gesture. Commending the initiative, citizens believe that such measures go a long way in demonstrating the government’s commitment to the welfare of its people.
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