By Chibuike Nwabuko
Abuja (Sundiata Post) – Human Rights Activist, Comrade Shehu Sani has urged the federal government to guide against possible inflated figures and inflated reimbursement that may arise from the transportation fare reduction offer for the yelutide celebration.
The former federal lawmaker who represented Kaduna Central Senatorial District in the 8th Senate, stated that If the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) is not directly involved, it will be impossible to know the actual number of passengers who will benefit from the offer.
Shehu Sani recounted that free transportation is not free and that government has to pay the 50% cost from the public treasury.
He stated this via his X(formerly twitter) handle e@ShehuSani whole after government announced its intention to use some transportation companies to drive the exercise.
Shehu Sani”s statement reads”
“Free transportation is not free, Government has to pay the 50% cost from the public treasury. The transparency of the exercise is important too. If the NURTW is not directly involved, it will be impossible to know the actual number of passengers who will benefit from the offer. The FG should be careful about inflated figures and inflated reimbursement.”
Sundiata Post recalls that the Federal Government on Wednesday announced 50 percent waiver for the cost of transportation this yelutide.
The Solid Minerals Minister Dele Alake, who announced this in a press conference in Abuja on Wednesday said the presidential intervention is a demonstration of President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to the welfare of Nigerians and easing their movement this Yuletide.
The FG listed participating companies and routes for the scheme.
Participating companies in the FG’s plan to reduce the transport burden of travelling 5 million Nigerians are as follows:
1.GIG ( God is Good)
- Chisco Transport
- Young Shall Grow
- God Bless Ezenwata
- Area Motor
Sundiata Post recalls that with the cost of transportation more than doubled owing to the removal of fuel subsidy earlier in the year, this government’s intervention programme is expected to be a huge relief for most Nigerians who rely on road transportation for movement.