By Blessing Chinagorom
The 2023 Labour Party Presidential Candidate, Peter Obi has said that if the approval of 50 percent slash in the price of inter-states transport fare for Nigerians travelling during Yuletide implemented, could be a step in the right direction.
Peter Obi who made this known on his social media platform Friday, complained that the major concern about such emergency measures is what follows afterwards.
Media Bypass News reported on Wednesday that the Nigerian President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu has announced a 50 per cent cut in transport fares charges by commercial buses on inter-state routes during the Yuletide.
The Solid Minerals Minister, Dele Alake who announced the development on Wednesday, also noted that all the train routes are free beginning from Thursday December 21st 2023 to 4th January 2024.
Peter Obi in his response said, If fully implemented, he would consider this first-time intervention of the government, intended to help the masses, a step in the right direction.
“However, the major concern about such emergency measures is what follows afterwards”, he said.
He lamented that the high cost of transportation and associated hardships are all well known, adding that the question this seasonal palliative raises is that of what happens after the festive season.
Peter Obi asked, “Is there a sustainable policy measure to cushion the masses from the current high transportation costs? Even the current effort comes with operational challenges”.
He noted that millions of people have already traveled bearing the brunt and huge costs of such travels while questioning how will such people get their refunds or be compensated.
Former Anambra State Governor explained that he went out to make inquiry following the government’s announcement of the 50% discount on interstate transport fare for Nigerians into implementation mechanics across different cities but he has been disappointed.
According to him, “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”, he said.
Recalled the government announcement of few transport companies chosen to participate in the intervention for which 28 Routes have been designated, he said there are no announced forms of checks and balances to ensure that the transporters follow the terms of the contract.
“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 appetizing 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 government is a good thing, but it should not be an avenue for exploiting the weak structures of government to encourage less than transparent policy implementation”, the Labour Party Presidential candidate concluded.