Subsidy Palliative: Borno, Adamawa Buys New Buses, Edo Flags Off ‘Free Bus Ride’ for 60days
Borno State Gov Zulum test driving one of the 70 new buses
By Correspondent
Borno State Governor, Babagana Umara Zulum, last Monday, September 10, 2023, unveiled a new fleet of 70 buses for metro transportation to assist the state’s residents from the impact of petroleum subsidy removal by the Federal Government.
The action according to Borno State Government, will also ease movement of civil servants to their various places of work.
The initiative is designed to alleviate the burden of commuting for both government employees and the general public.
The unveiling ceremony was held at the premises of Borno Express Terminus, along Kano-Maiduguri road.
The 70 buses, which were specifically bought for the purpose, comprises of medium buses and mass-transit.
In his remarks, the state governor – Zulum noted that “…this second phase of the intervention in the transport sector is to alleviate suffering due to the removal of fuel subsidy.”
Zulum added that, 30 out of the total 70 buses has been earmarked for civil servants to transport them from their places of work from 7:00am to 9:00am – pick ups and return 3:00 pm to 5:00 from Mondays to Fridays.
“I want you to ensure that these buses start operations tomorrow morning (Tuesday) unfailingly. You should however be mindful of our situation and ensure that you bring down the cost of transportation.
“Let us consider it as a social service and not as a revenue generation drive,” Zulum told Borno Express management.
Governor Zulum used the occasion to also unveil some newly constructed structures and remodeled buildings at the terminus.
The structures are to serve as accommodation for travelers, including restaurants and administrative offices.
Midwest Herald reported earlier that the Adamawa State Government had also bought some units of buses as part of palliatives for the removal petroleum products subsidy in the state.
The state also announced that, apart from the buses, truck loads of rice, maize for ‘palliative care’ have been ordered for distribution across the state.
The10 mega Innoson shuttle buses cost Adamawa State N1.06bn.
Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State, on Monday September 10, 2023 also flagged off ‘free bus ride’ to ameliorate the impact of subsidy removal.
Obaseki was represented at the flag-off by the duo of Mr. Christopher Nehikhare, Commissioner of Communication and Orientation; and Mr. Andrew Okungbowa, Chief Press Secretary to Governor Obaseki.
The buses that were unveiled at the flag-off ceremony with cutting of red tape, are the existing fleets bought some years ago and operated by Edo City Transport Service (ECTS).
Governor Obaseki, who was represented by the Commissioner for Communication and Orientation, Chris Nehikhare, said his government remains committed to the wellbeing and support of the people and will sustain efforts to reduce the hardship inflicted on the people by the subsidy removal.
He was however silent on the N2bn Federal Government Palliative Fund distributed to states, trucks of grains, rice an others, as well as the half a billion naira (N500,000,000.00) monthly, he promised to disburse to homes in the state.
