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Peter Obi raises concerns over Tinubu’s 50% transport fare slash for Nigerians during Yuletide

Published

11 months ago

December 22, 2023

The third-placed candidate in the 2023 presidential election, Peter Obi of the Labour Party, has questioned the 50 percent slash in transport fare approved by President Bola Tinubu for Nigerians during Yuletide.

Recall that Tinubu on Wednesday, approved the reduction as well as free train rides for Nigerians starting Thursday, December 21, 2023, to January 4, 2024.

The Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dele Alake, while announcing this gesture to State House Correspondents at the Aso Rock Villa on Wednesday said Nigerians willing to travel can board public transport via mini buses, luxury buses at 50 percent discount of the current cost.

To implement the scheme, the government partnered with at least five transport companies, including God is Good (GIG), Chisco Transport, Young Shall Grow, God Bless Ezenwata, and Area Motor.

The routes which the buses will be plying include Lagos to Kano, Lagos to Abuja, Lagos to Kaduna-Zaria, Lagos to Jos, Lagos to Enugu, Lagos to Onitsha, Owerri, Aba, Abakaliki, Nsukka, Uyo, and Port Harcourt.

Passengers traveling on the routes of Onitsha to Kano, and Onitsha to Lagos, Jos, Abuja, Sokoto, Gombe, and Zakibiam were also been listed to benefit from the government packages.

However, Obi in a statement released on Thursday, acknowledged the “step in the right direction” but questioned the lack of a long-term plan to address the underlying issue of high transportation costs.

He pointed out that millions who had already travelled before the announcement bear the brunt of the original fares, leaving them uncompensated.

“The question this seasonal palliative raises is that of what happens after the festive season,” Obi stated. “Is there a sustainable policy measure to cushion the masses from the current high transportation costs?”

He further raised doubts about the policy’s rollout, claiming investigations in major transport hubs across the country revealed widespread unawareness among operators. “In Abuja, Lagos, Onitsha, Kano, and other cities, transporters are completely in the dark about this 50% discount,” Obi said.

“The announced list of participating companies and routes also raises concerns about transparency and potential for abuse.”

Obi urged the government to avoid “mere spin” and implement the policy with clear guidelines and safeguards. “The Nigerian people deserve more than temporary fixes,” he asserted. “Compassion is crucial, but it should not be used to exploit weak governance structures and encourage opaque policymaking.”