On Wednesday, the Federal Government announced that it had reduced the cost of public transportation for Nigerians by fifty percent.
During a news conference on the presidential involvement in public transportation to celebrate the Yuletide season in Abuja, the nation’s capital, Minister of Solid Minerals Dele Alake revealed this.
As per Alake’s statement, the intervention is scheduled to start on Thursday, December 21, and conclude on January 4, 2024.
“It is in this wise that the Federal Government is announcing, beginning Thursday, a special discounted holiday season fare on road transport and zero-fare by rail across Nigeria.
“What this means is that from Thursday, Nigerians willing to travel can board public transport via luxury buses at a 50% discount of current cost and all our train services on the routes the trains currently serve at zero cost to-and-fro on their travels this holiday season.”
The minister clarified, though, that since the project is aimed at the general public, air travel is not included.
He said that as a sign of his love for Nigerians, President Bola Tinubu approved of the gesture. He also said that it relieves the extra burden that the high cost of transportation around this time of year places on Nigerians who wish to visit their hometowns and loved ones.
According to Alake, President Tinubu has ordered the police, Department of State Services (DSS), military, and other security agencies to cooperate in order to guarantee that there are no security lapses throughout the Christmas season anywhere in the nation.
“While we wish all Nigerians a great holiday season, we implore everyone to be law-abiding, be security conscious, be our brother’s keepers, and extend every goodwill to our families, friends and neighbours.
“While we celebrate and enjoy all the social activities that come with the season, let us also remember to celebrate in moderation,” he stated.
