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•FG lists more motor parks
By Moses Akaigwe
With about seven days to the end of the 50 percent slash in inter-state transport fares, which took effect on Thursday, December 21, the Federal Government, on Friday, listed additional motor parks where discounts could be obtained.
A statement by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Temitope Ajayi, said travellers can obtain the rebate fares at Terminal 3 in Oshodi, Lagos, Jabi park in Abuja, Nwugo park in Onitsha for Port Harcourt route, Abia Polytechnic in Aba, Balmary park in Kano, and Mando park in Kaduna (Lagis route), as well as Television Garage (for eastern route).
In Jos, passengers to board at Gadabiu Luxury park; in Enugu, Abakiliki/Nsukka travellers to join at Old Park; in Owerri, join at Somachi Park; In Port Harcourt, join at Olu Obasanjo Ezenwata Park;
In Sokoto, at Central Park; in Gombe, join at the Central Park;and in Zakibiam, joinat Heavy Duty Park; and In Uyo, The Young Shall Grow park
Travellers in Uyo should board at Young Shall Grow Park (No.17 Mosignor Akpan Avenue); Mbak Itam Itu, Akwa Ibom;and Gombe, to join at Gombe Line Park, Opposite Government House.
The Federal Government had on Wednesday,December 20, through the Minister of Solid Minerals, Dr. Dele Alake, announced a 50 per cent cut in road transportation fares on 22 inter-state routes during the festive period.
Meanwhile, the Association of Luxury Bus Owners of Nigeria (ALBON), the owners and operators of long distance inter-state mass transit bus service nationwide, has confirmed that travellers have been taking advantage of President Bola Tinubu’s-subsidised special Yuletide fares to travell to various destinations across the country.
Reacting the Federal Government;s gesture, the leadership of ALBON assured the travelling public that its members had commenced full implementation of the 50 percent fare reduction, and would continue to do so till the rebate lapses.
A statement signed jointly by ALBON President , Nonso Ubajaka and the Honorary Secretary, Frank Nneji, said members’ vehicles were now collecting 50 percent of the applicable fares on the routes announced by the Federal Government when the presidential gesture was announced.
The special fare discount is scheduled to end on January 4, 2024, according the announcement by the Solid Minerals Minister.
The press statement enjoined passengers travelling during this festive period to take advantage of the President’s magnanimous gesture intended to lessen their transportation cost, to travel to their various destinations.
Some of the routes listed are Lagos to major cities in the north, and south-east, and south-south, including, Kano, Abuja, Kaduna, Zaria, Jos, Onitsha, Owerri, Enugu, Nsukka, Abakailiki, Aba, Uyo and Port Harcourt, among others.
Also covered are Onitsha to Lagos, and various destinations in the north, including, Kano, Abuja,Sokoto, Jos, and Gombe, as well as Aba-Owerri-Abuja; and Aba-Lagos.
Passengers departing Abuja to Maiduguri, Sokoto, Lagos, Onitsha/Owerri/Port Harcourt, Enugu/Abakaliki, Kano and Gombe routes, will also pay only half of the current fares.
The ALBON statement also said, “All our members’ companies are involved in this exercise. They include, among others: Young Shall Grow Nig Ltd; Chisco Transport Ltd; Izuchukwu Transport Nig. Ltd; ABC Transport Plc; GUO Transport Ltd; God Bless Ezewanta Nig. Ltd; SD Express Ltd; Welfare Transport Nig. Ltd; Ifesinachi Transport Nig. Ltd; E Ekesons Nig. Ltd; Ifeanyi Chukwu Industries & commercial Ltd; Bonnyway Motor Ltd; Delta Express Ltd; and God Is Good Motors Ltd.
The listed operators involved in the fare discount “are providing 11,118 seats per day for the duration of the exercise,” which ends on January 4, 2024.
The press release further started, “All intending passengers on the above listed are requested to go to our members various bus stations nationwide to book and board our buses on payment of only 50 percent (half the price) of the prevailing or current bus fare during the period on the principle of ‘first come, first served,’ on the daily basis during the period”
“The Association of Luxury Bus Owners of Nigeria once again commends and salutes the Federal Government of Nigeria under the listening and responsive leadership of President Ahmed Bola Tinubu for this great package for the traveling masses. We also thank the Honourable Minister of Transportation Senator Ahmed Saad Alkali for his unrelenting efforts in ensuring that Mr. President magnanimous gesture for the traveling masses during this festive period is fully implemented.
“This indeed is the dawn of the “Renewed Hope for us in the luxury bus industry and our numerous passengers nationwide.”
