No fewer than 5 million pasaangers are targeted in the 50% transportation rebate of the Federal Government.
Minister of Information and National Orientation Mohammed Idris disclosed this while briefing Journalists on the achievement of President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
Idris stressed that the aim is to cushion the effect of high cost of transportation.
He however said the gesture only cover those travelling by road and rail.
He said, “In other to cushion the effect of high cost of transportation fares, the Federal Government targets to lift Five Million (5,000,000) commuters during this yuletide season with 50% transportation rebate.
” In addition, all train services are free for all Nigerians traveling from today, Thursday, December 21, 2023 to Thursday, January 4, 2024.”
Idris said it was a thought-out plan which was arrived at after series of meetings with stakeholders
He explained further, “Let me tell you, that government didn’t just sit down to arrive at these numbers. There have been series of meetings and engagements by the Minister of Transportation and other ministers. To look at what this is all about. First of all, government look at what is the average cost of a traveller for example, from Abuja to Onitsha or Abuja to Lagos or Abuja to Kano and all that have been taken into consideration to defend the provision of those 50%.
He also listed the participating road transport companies for the 50% rebate, to include GIG (God is Good, Chisco Transport, Young Shall Grow, God Bless Ezenwa and Area Motor.
He said the choice of the five transporters were based on their track records and capacity.
He added, “these processes are self adjusting, but initially, these five very well established companies have been contacted because they already have a track record of moving people from one part of the country to another.
“Government is not desirous of making this business as usual where the moment government projects are announced, people just come to take advantage of it.
“The interest of government and the President is to ensure that only those who are involved in this business are patronised and every arraignment that was done was done in collaboration.
” In fact, as we speak, the Road Transport Workers are continuously engaging with the Minister of Transportation, so that all the bottlenecks can be taken out.”
He therefore stressed that “For now those five companies are involved as the programme goes underway and there is the need to bring others of course, the desire of of government is to cushion the effect. The desire of of government is not just to patronise a few people.
“These people are people who have this track record and that is why they have been contacted to be part of this but if there are more people that have this capacity to be sorted and there are need to engage them, government will just do that. The aim of this of course, is to provide Nigeria with succour and remember, it is only for the period of Christmas and New Year, after which of course this will be done.
