FG transportation subsidy programme a huge success, says Dele Alake
No fewer than 160,000 passengers benefited from the End of Year Transportation Subsidy Programme of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
This was disclosed by Mr Dele Alake, the Chairman of the Committee on the Implementation of the Transportation Subsidy Programme.
Mr Alake, who is also the minister of solid minerals development, in a report presented on Monday, said the initiative was a huge success as it provided free transportation on the routes of the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) and a 50 per cent subsidy on transport fares for passengers travelling on 30 routes serviced by the Association of Luxury Bus Owners of Nigeria (ALBON).
He added that the programme recorded commendable results, as between December 21 and December 31, 2023, the NRC transported 71,000 passengers, while buses operating under the umbrella of ALBON conveyed 77, 122 passengers.
The minister, in the report, also revealed that 652 “bus trips originating travels” from Oshodi Interchange in Lagos carried 15,766.
“Between December 21 and December 31, 2023, figures available show that the NRC conveyed 71,000 passengers, while buses operating under the auspices of ALBON carried 77, 122 passengers, and 652 bus trips originating travels from Oshodi Interchange in Lagos carried 15,766. This means no fewer than 163, 878 passengers benefitted from the Presidential Yuletide Transportation Subsidy in the first 10 days of the programme.
“Secondly, while train-bound passengers enjoyed total free service, road travellers paid only 50 per cent of the fares. The subsidies depended on the fares ranging from a saving of N21,500 on a Lagos-Abuja road trip fare of N43,000 and N15,000 on a Lagos –Onisha bus fare of N30,000,” Mr Alake said in the report.
“The programme has been a huge success. It is a vivid expression of the resonant leadership driven by emotional intelligence. The yuletide transportation programme sought to meet the mass of Nigerians at their point of need,” said the minister.
