Kaduna – Kaduna State Government on Wednesday distributed 200 cars (Kia Rio and Peugeot) to some youths in the state as part of its youth empowerment programme.
Gov. Nasir El-Rufai said the programme known as the “Kaduna Cabs Scheme’’ was one of the platforms created by the state government to empower the youth.
According to El-rufai, the beneficiaries are expected to deposit 10 per cent down payment, while the balance will be paid in instalments for a period of 36 months.
“Most of the young people have the ability, the dignity and the trustworthiness to make a success of their participation in the scheme,’’ he said.
The governor urged beneficiaries of the scheme to live up to expectation and to be dutiful in their repayments.
He also appealed to them to abide by the law always, and to use the vehicles responsibly.
“The Kaduna State Government has invested in helping to create a solid foundation for the scheme.
“We have ensured that all the vehicles have insurance cover and a compulsory maintenance programme at specified intervals,’’ he said
The governor said that the state government had taken measures to ensure that all drivers had valid driving credentials.
“We have taken them through a course in safe driving practices and customer service,’’ he said.[pro_ad_display_adzone id=”70560″]
According to the governor, the scheme has been designed with tariff charges for various zones in the state, which must be prominently displayed in the cabs.
He said that this would give customers the opportunity to order taxi services by telephone, and they will be provided numbers on which they can access information or report complaints.
“As we expand and learn from the scheme in Kaduna, we shall be extending the cab services to our other major urban centres in due course,’’ he said.
El-Rufai noted that major cities in the state deserved a decent taxi cab service to enable passengers to commute in comfort and safety.
“It is our duty to provide choice, so that users can decide which means of transportation is best suited to their needs and pockets at any particular time.
“We can all agree that it is an anomaly that Kaduna, our capital city, does not have a functioning, organised and regulated taxi service.’’
He appreciated the efforts of the partners in the project, KIA Motors, PAN, Sterling Bank and Stanbic IBTC.
The governor urged the people of Kaduna to embrace and use the cabs as government would continue to encourage investment to create opportunities for the youth.
El-Rufai also commended Asiwaju Bola Tinubu for his support toward the scheme.
Speaking at the event, Tinubu, a former governor of Lagos State, said the Kaduna Cabs Scheme was a long overdue initiative.
“Now that a people-oriented government is in charge, we are beginning to see not just bold ideas, but equally bold moves,’’ he said
Tinubu said that the scheme was a proactive measure geared at job creation as well as economic empowerment programme aimed at not just creating wealth, but providing jobs and affordable loans to the people of Kaduna State.
“The advantages of this initiative range from the economic, to sociological and security. It will help to begin to sanitise the taxi business system since a database is expected to be established and as well as a monitoring technique.’’
The former governor also commended El-Rufai for the bold initiative and urged him to quickly increase the number of the cabs.(NAN)