ABUJA — In a surprising move, President Bola Tinubu has directed a 50% reduction in land transportation fares nationwide from today until January 4, 2024. Additionally, the President has approved a zero fare for train transportation across all states during the same period.
The announcement was made by Minister of Solid Minerals Development and Chairman of the Inter-Ministerial Committee on Presidential Intervention, Mr. Dele Alake, during a briefing at the Presidential Villa, Abuja. He was accompanied by the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, Minister of Transportation, Saidu Alkali, and the Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.
Alake assured that all logistics for the implementation, in collaboration with transport unions and luxury bus owners, had been worked out. Luxury buses, operating on 22 designated routes for inter-state transportation, were expected to adhere to the new fare structure.
President Tinubu’s intervention aims to alleviate the financial burden on citizens traveling for the Christmas and New Year festivities, considering the recent increases in inter-state and air travel costs. The directive covers major inter-state transportation hubs such as Abuja, Lagos, Kano, Kaduna, Enugu, Port Harcourt, Owerri, Ibadan, Akure, Maiduguri, Sokoto, and others.
The special presidential intervention is set to commence on Thursday, December 21, and will conclude on January 4, 2024.
Mixed Reactions: NLC Dismisses, Transport Operators Express Shock
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) dismissed the announcement as unworkable, stating that the President lacks the authority to decree fare reductions in a free-market economy. Mr. Joe Ajaero, President of NLC, emphasized that the government’s ill-conceived policies were driving up the cost of transportation, making it unfeasible to dictate fare prices.
Luxury bus operators in Abuja expressed shock and feigned ignorance over the development. Some operators viewed the government’s move as a mere publicity stunt and questioned the practicality of implementing a 50% reduction in transport fares. The skepticism among transport operators was evident, with some suggesting that the government did not consult them before making the decision.
Government Agencies Pledge Compliance
However, the Managing Director of the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC), Mr. Fidet Okhiria, welcomed the initiative and assured that preparations were underway to implement the directive. The NRC emphasized the need for travelers to obtain tickets online to avoid overcrowding at train stations.
The National Association of Road Transport Owners (NARTO) lauded the government’s initiative, pledging full cooperation. NARTO’s Executive Secretary, Aloga Ogbogo, acknowledged that the policy was a step in the right direction to assist Nigerians during the festive season.
The Road Transport Employers’ Association of Nigeria (RTEAN) also expressed support for the government’s initiative, highlighting that necessary arrangements had been made to ensure transparent and effective implementation.
Fares Skyrocket Days Before Christmas
Despite the government’s directive, less than five days before Christmas, road transport operators have reportedly increased fares by about 50%. Operators cited the one-sided movement of passengers from major cities to villages during the Christmas period as the reason for the fare hike.
A survey revealed significant fare increases for inter-state trips, with concerns that fares might escalate beyond 100% as more people travel for the year-end festivities. The hike in fuel prices, resulting from the removal of fuel subsidies, has contributed to the financial challenges faced by transport operators, leading to higher fares.
The effectiveness of President Tinubu’s intervention and its impact on reducing the financial burden on travelers during the festive season remain subjects of debate, with skepticism expressed by some stakeholders.
