The Labour Party (LP) flag-bearer in 2023 presidential election, Mr. Obi Peter, has commended the Federal Government (FG) for collaborating with some transport companies to reduce interstate fares for the citizens travelling during the festive period.
The FG on Wednesday said that the 50% reduction in transportation fares covers different routes across the country and takes effect from Thursday, December 21 to January 4, 2024.
Meanwhile, Obi in a series of tweets on his X (formerly Twitter) account on Friday heaped praises on the FG for the efforts made to assist the people through transportation, though he equally expressed concerns.
“If fully implemented, as reported, I 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. The high cost of transportation and associated hardships are all well known.
“The question this seasonal palliative raises is that of what happens after the festive season. Is there a sustainable policy measure to cushion the masses from the current high transportation costs? Even the current effort comes with operational challenges. Millions of people have already traveled bearing the brunt and huge costs of such travels. How will such people get their refunds or be compensated?,” he posted.
However, the former Governor of Anambra State made complaints about the implementation of the benefit.
He said: “Following the government’s announcement of a 50% discount on interstate transport fare for Nigerians, I have taken time to inquire into the implementation mechanics across different cities but I have been disappointed. 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. The government has again announced the few transport companies chosen to participate in the intervention for which 28 Routes have been designated. 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.”
Obi further stated that he prays that ‘this is not yet another spin to curry favour in the media space after appetizing the people, stressing that ‘the Nigerian people are going through untold hardship and the government must not remain insensitive to their sufferings.’
He buttressed that the government should be compassionate and maintained that it is a good thing, however, he disclosed that it should not be an avenue for exploiting the weak structures of government to encourage less than transparent policy implementation.
