The presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in the 2023 elections, Peter Obi, has commended the federal government over its decision to slash the price of inter-state transport fares by 50 per cent for Nigerians travelling during the Christmas period.
This was contained in a statement posted on X (formerly Twitter) Friday in which he hailed the action of the government as the first-time intervention of the government, intended to help the masses, a step in the right direction.
“I read the reports of the president’s approval of a 50 per cent slash in the price of inter-state transport fare for Nigerians travelling during this yuletide from Thursday 21, 2023, to January 4, 2024.
“The news reports added that the president also approved free rides for commuters on all train services within the period. If fully implemented, as reported, I consider this first-time intervention of the government, intended to help the masses, a step in the right direction.
Concerns
“However, the major concern about such emergency measures is what follows afterwards. The high cost of transportation and associated hardships are all well-known. The question this seasonal palliative raises is that of what happens after the festive season. Is there a sustainable policy measure to cushion the masses from the current high transportation costs? Even the current effort comes with operational challenges.
“Following the government’s announcement of a 50% discount on inter-state transport fare for Nigerians, I have taken time to inquire into the implementation mechanics across different cities but I have been disappointed.
“Today, I sent out contacts who consulted widely with the transporters in major parks across the country: in Abuja, they carried out on-the-spot investigation in Jabi/Utako areas; in Lagos, they visited major parks like Jibowu, Festac, Mile 12, Ajah, and Mazamaza and none of the transporters in these parks was aware of this 50% discount. At Upper Iweka, Onitsha, which is the main traffic hub in Anambra, and in other parts of the country like; Kano, Aba, Kaduna, Owerri, and Gombe, the story is the same.
“There are obvious questions on the integrity of this intervention effort. One expects that such a policy that strives to appeal to the broad masses, especially the downtrodden, deliberate and concrete arrangements should be made, with transport companies.
“I pray that this is not yet another spin to curry favour in the media space after appetising the people. The Nigerian people are going through untold hardship and the government must not remain insensitive to their sufferings.
“Compassion on the part of the government is a good thing, but it should not be an avenue for exploiting the weak structures of the government to encourage less than transparent policy implementation.”
