The Federal Government fulfills transportation waiver commitment for Nigerians during the festive season, providing a list of participating companies and designated routes for the program.
In a press conference held in Abuja on Wednesday, Minister of Solid Minerals, Dele Alake, announced that the presidential intervention involving a 50 percent reduction in road transport costs is a manifestation of President Bola Tinubu’s dedication to the well-being of Nigerians, aiming to facilitate their movement during this festive season.
Shortly after this announcement, presidential aide Bayo Onanuga released a list of participating transportation companies and their designated routes. The companies include GIG (God is Good), Chisco Transport, Young Shall Grow, God Bless Ezenwata, and Area Motor.
Onanuga listed the routes as:
Lagos – Kanο
Lagos – Abuja
Lagos – Jos
Lagos – Enugu
Lagos – Onitsha
Lagos – Owerri
Lagos – Aba
Lagos – Abakaliki
Lagos – Nsuka
Lagos – Uyo
Lagos-Kaduna-Zaria
Lagos-PH
Onitsha-Kano
Onisha-Lagos
Onisha-Jos
Onisha-Abuja
Onisha-Sokoto
Onisha-Gombe
Onisha- Zakibiam
Ph-Owerri-Aba-Kano
Aba-Owerri- Abj
Aba-Lagos
Abuja-Sokoto
Abuja-Lagos
Abuja-Onitsha- Owerri – Port Harcourt
Abuja-Enugu/Abakaliki
Abuja-Gombe
Abuja-Kano
The government’s latest move also affects rail transportation which will enjoy a 100 percent waiver for the intervention scheme running from Thursday, December 21 to January 4, 2024.
“What this means is that from tomorrow (Thursday), Nigerians willing to travel can board public transport via luxury buses at a 50% discount of current cost and all our train services on the routes the trains currently serve at zero cost to-and-fro on their travels this holiday season,” Alake said.
With the removal of fuel subsidies earlier in the year causing transportation costs to more than double, the government’s intervention program is anticipated to provide significant relief to many Nigerians who heavily depend on road transportation.
Following the subsidy removal, the government proposed measures, including the introduction of gas-powered buses for public transport, aiming to mitigate the high transportation costs that have been a major concern for Nigerians.
As part of its comprehensive initiative, the government also implemented a six-month pay increase of 35,000 naira ($45) for federal employees, a temporary suspension of VAT on diesel, and social security cash transfers to the country’s most economically vulnerable citizens.
Participating companies in the FG’s plan to reduce the transport burden of travelling 5 million Nigerians:
1.GIG ( God is Good)
2. Chisco Transport
3. Young Shall Grow
4. God Bless Ezenwata
5. Area MotorThe available routes: pic.twitter.com/Zpk8M7cB5z
— Bayo Onanuga (@aonanuga1956) December 20, 2023