Independence Day: Benue Govt Purchases 100 Buses to Mitigate Subsidy Removal Effects

The Benue Government says it has procured 100 buses to be handed over to the Benue Links, the state-owned transport company to cushion the effects of the subsidy removal on petrol. Governor Hyacinth Alia stated this in a radio and television broadcast as part of activities to mark Nigeria’s 63rd Independence Anniversary in Makurdi. Alia said he was aware of the sufferings of the people following the removal of fuel subsidy and other harsh economic realities in the country. “Our good people of Benue, I share the pains most of you are going through; and I assure you that your resilience and patience would not be in vain as this administration continues to reposition, as well as strengthen our institutions for good governance. I want to assure you that succour is on the way. “In the meantime, we have purchased 100 buses to be handed over soon to Benue Links, the state-owned transport company, to provide affordable transportation to the public. “In addition, plans are underway to distribute N50,000 each, to market women across the state, to enhance their petty trade businesses. “Our lofty visions, policies and strategies for good governance cannot be achieved in a society bereft of security of lives and property,” he said.Alia added: “No society thrives in the face of wanton killings, kidnapping, banditry, communal conflicts, and so forth.“The independent anniversary is a moment for us to salute our heroes past. It took valour, sacrifice and cohesive nationalistic onslaught for them to actualise our country’s political freedom. “It is important to thank the Almighty God for preserving us amidst several storms, some of which at some point within the last 63 years, threatened our very own existence as a country.“While we reflect in retrospect, it is equally pertinent for us to examine where we are, and look to the brighter future that lies ahead of us, especially in a State like ours that possesses allthe potentials of peaking us in the comity of states.”

FG begins infrastructural improvements at Idu train station

The Federal Government has commenced improvement of facilities and infrastructure at Idu Train Station, Abuja, to improve service delivery. Mr Fidet Okhira, Managing Director, Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC), stated this after an inspection visit to the station on Wednesday. Okhira added that the move was to improve customer service experience and ensure comfort, safety, and the safety of users. He explained that the inspection became necessary following the unscheduled visit by the Minister of Transportation, Sen. Saidu Alkali to the station. He added Alkali had highlighted some issues that needed to be corrected. “My visit today is a follow up to ensure that all directives are duly followed and implemented. “We appreciate the minister`s visit because it has put us on our toes and everybody, including myself, is busy getting the job done,“ he said. He said that the three faulty lifts at the station have been fixed, while one of the three escalators was also working. He explained that the remaining two escalators could only work in one way for now, adding that the remaining two were being fixed. According to him, the NRC has keyed into the renewed hope of President Bola Tinubu and is determined to transform the railway service to serve the public better. On welfare, the managing director said that the corporation had paid two months out of the five months allowances owed to cleaners and security personnel. He explained that the delay was due to a shortfall in revenue generation since the train attack, adding that expenses had equally gone up.   “We will do all we can to ensure that the remaining balance is paid. This key to boost their morale to keep the train clean and safe for all users. “Nonetheless, we are appealing for continued cooperation of the cleaners and security personnel to enable us to deliver quality services to the members of the public,” he said. Okhira commended the Nigerian Police, the Army, and other stakeholders for securing the station and keeping it clean and serene.

FG sets to enhance rail sector for improved services -Alkali

The Federal Government has underscored its commitment to overhauling the rail transportation sector to ensure superior service delivery, aligning with President Bola Tinubu’s vision of creating a secure, accessible, and affordable railway network accessible to all Nigerians. During an unannounced visit to the Idu Train Station in Abuja, Senator Sai’du Alkali, the Minister of Transportation, affirmed this dedication. Alkali outlined strategic steps to rejuvenate the railway system, including bolstering cooperation with the Military high command to enhance security measures along all railway routes. Addressing concerns about the subpar condition of train coaches, amenities, lifts, and escalators, the Minister assured that comprehensive repairs would be expedited, ensuring they become operational promptly. Furthermore, the Minister extended commendation to security personnel for their role in maintaining safety. He assured the personnel that any outstanding allowances would be settled without delay, and going forward, remuneration would be provided punctually. Alkali reiterated that rail transportation remains the optimal means of travel, encouraging Nigerians to continue embracing it. He emphasized ongoing endeavors to align rail services with international standards and best practices.

Subsidy: FCTA urban mass transit buses resume soon– Official

The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has disclosed that its urban mass transit buses would resume operations soon to reduce the hike in transport fares, occasioned by fuel subsidy removal. The transport fare has skyrocketed by more than 100 per cent in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), since the new fuel price regime took off. During his inaugural speech on May 29, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had announced the removal of fuel subsidy, leading to the increased price of petrol from N195 to N540 per litre. Barely two months after, the price was further reviewed upward to N617 per litre, a development some FCT residents said was taking a heavy toll on them. Some civil servants particularly groaned that the increase in transport fares was forcing them to spend a larger chunk of their salary on transport. Some residents described the efforts as a “welcome development”, saying it will significantly ameliorate the hash transportation situation in the FCT. A resident of Nyanya, Mr Paul Nkom, said that he spends more than N1,000 daily on transportation from the initial N300 to Federal Secretariat and back home. “This amounted to over N5,000 a week and N20,000 a month from my meagre salary, but I am sure that fare will drastically reduce if we have the urban mass transit buses on the road,” he said. Another resident, Mr Lawal Haruna, said that she spends N1,100 on transportation from Gwarinpa to his office located at Central Area, Abuja and back home, amounting to N2,200 every day. Haruna pointed out that he spends N11,000 weekly and N44,000 monthly. “This is about 50 per cent of my salary. We are appealing to the FCTA to roll out palliatives to cushion the effect of the hike in transport fare on workers salary,” he said. He urged the FCTA to, as a matter of urgency, refurbish the urban mass transit buses and get them on the road to provide alternative and cheaper transportation within the FCT. Meanwhile, the Permanent Secretary, FCTA, Mr Olusade Adesola, said on Monday  that plans are already in place to bring back the mass transit buses on the road. Adesola disclosed that the Managing Director of Abuja Urban Mass Transport Company (AUMTCO) was in Lagos over the weekend on the matter. “He was in Lagos over the weekend where he held meetings with the companies that supply our mass transit buses to fix the buses for us. “We are also working to ensure that all the buses are fixed and back on the road to support the movement of persons in and out of the city,” he said. “We have also commenced the rehabilitation of the vandalised rail tracks of the Abuja Rail Transport System to complement the urban mass transit buses to bring succour to our people. “The Federal Government has also introduced a number of measures to ameliorate the effect of the withdrawal of subsidy of petroleum products,” the permanent secretary said. Similarly, Mr Wadata Bodinga, Director, Traffic Management, Transportation Secretariat of the FCTA, recalled that the FCTA had in Nov. 2022 mandated the Abuja Investment Company Limited (AICL), to resuscitate AUMTCO for better performance. Bodinga told NAN that the goal was to ensure efficient and effective mass transportation services in the FCT. He explained that the AICL is an investment company established by the FCT Administration to manage the assets, investments, and business interests of the FCTA. He noted most of the buses were not on the road, adding that efforts were on top gear to fix them and get them on the road because of the huge potential in public transportation in the FCT. “Currently we are in a situation where taxes are the one doing the work of high-capacity buses. “This will soon change as one bus has the capacity to remove 20 taxes off the road,” the director said. The director also disclosed that the FCT Administration has concluded plans to encourage private sector investment in urban mass transportation. Bodinga said that the fuel subsidy removal was a transportation matter but with transcending effect across all other sectors. Noting the need for government intervention in the transportation sector, the director said that the move to encourage private sector investment was part of efforts to cushion the effect of the subsidy removal. The idea, according to him, is for the private sector to invest massively in urban transportation which will eventually crash transport fare in the city. “One of the steps is to provide an enabling environment for the private sector to invest, so that they can compete favourably and have greater advantages than small buses and taxes. “We are already in talks with a lot of companies who are ready to invest. Some of them are already partnering with foreign companies to bring the vehicle into the city. “The FCT Administration on its part will provide some kind of palliatives, or incentives by providing the companies with spaces to build their service centres and parking bay. “We will provide critical infrastructure that will encourage the private companies to come to the Abuja city and operate,” he said.