The Federal Government of Nigeria says 160,000 citizens have so far benefitted from its transport subsidy launched for the festive season.
The Nigerian government had slashed road transport fares by 50 per cent and announced free train rides to reduce the burden for commuters during the Christmas and New Year celebrations.
The Minister of Solid Minerals, Dele Alake, stated that the intervention scheme was a success as up to 160,000 passengers had benefitted from the transport slash weeks after the launch.
“As the Chairman of the Committee on the Implementation of the End of Year Transportation Subsidy Programme of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, I am pleased to report that our programme has been a tremendous success, benefiting over 160,000 passengers across the country,” Aleke said announced via his X handle over the weekend.
“This initiative, approved by President Tinubu on December 19, 2023, provided free transportation on the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) routes and a 50 per cent subsidy on transport fares for passengers travelling on 30 bus routes operated by the Association of Luxury Bus Owners of Nigeria, ALBON.”
The minister also reiterated the purpose of the transport slash and disclosed further information about the subsidy.
“I am proud to share that between December 21 and December 31, 2023, the NRC conveyed 71,000 passengers, while buses under ALBON carried 77,122 passengers. Additionally, 652 bus trips from Oshodi Interchange in Lagos carried 15,766 passengers,” he stated.
“These numbers demonstrate that a total of 163,878 passengers benefitted from the Presidential Yuletide Transportation Subsidy in the first 10 days of the programme.”
He also called for more collaboration “for the return trips until Thursday, January 4, 2024, as the programme is still ongoing.
“The success of this initiative exemplifies President Tinubu’s care and concern for the Nigerian people, and we will continue to monitor compliance and provide intervention when necessary”.