Passengers traveling from Abuja to other parts of the Country using the CNG vehicles introduced by the Federal Government have commended the intervention describing it as an economic stimulus.
They described the 50 percent reduction of the transportation fares as a step in the right direction.
During the Yuletide, many Nigerians usually travel from one part of the Country to another to celebrate the seasons with their loved ones.
The 50 percent reduction of road transportation fares to and from Abuja and Lagos to State capitals introduced by the Federal Government was launched on the 24th December, 2024 and would continue until the 5th of January, 2025.
Some passengers, Adindu John traveling to Yobe State and Chimuanya Ogbonna going to Enugu were excited about the initiative.
“Palliatives in Nigeria, none has favoured me o, but this one has favoured me, so, I really appreciate.” “I appreciate our President for initiating this kind of programme, from Abuja to Enugu: some are paying thirty thousand Naira, while others are paying above twenty thousand Naira, but I paid only twelve thousand, five hundred Naira.”
Another passenger enroute Asaba from Abuja urged the government to sustain the initiative.
“The economy of today, traveling and all, but here, it’s cheaper. I made enquiry and was told twenty-five and fifty thousand Naira but I paid seventeen thousand five hundred Naira.”
Some other passengers were however not comfortable when the transporters insisted on collecting cash as well as what they described as unnecessary delays.
“It’s supposed to be cash, what? And the delay…you wrote cashless there and you’re looking for cash up and down.”
For the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Transportation, Mr. Adileye Adioye, the initiative commenced last year and was targeted at alleviating the economic challenges faced by Nigerians.
“This particular initiative at the instance of the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, under the ministry of transportation under Senator Ahmed Alkali, came into operation as far back as last year where a similar initiative was operated. So this is the second time the President is doing this. And just like we had last year, we are running both on rail and roads.”
Radio Nigeria also interacted with a representative of one of the Transport companies and a driver and they gave an assurance that deliberate efforts had been made for smooth Operations.
The amount for Kaduna is five thousand Naira, Maiduguri and Yola go for ten thousand Naira while passengers traveling to Kano paid ten thousand Naira.
