Abuja- The Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria (RTEAN) on Sunday called on other transport unions not to increase transport fares during the forthcoming yuletide and New Year celebrations.
Chief Musa Shehu, President of the Association, made the call in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja.
Shehu said that the association had equally advised its members against increasing transport fares in the country.
“The increase in transport fares cannot be justified because there is availability of fuel and we will not allow people to suffer unnecessary pain.
“I have advised my members not to increase transport fares because the passengers are our brothers and sisters and need not to pass through difficulty.
“It will serve as a bonus to our passengers especially our customers for the year; I also advise our sister-unions to emulate what we are doing in terms of managing transport fares.
He said the association had also constituted a committee nationwide to regulate activities in its various parks including checking on alcohol intake by drivers.
“The committee will also regulate the boarding of passengers and loading of vehicles by drivers before they are checked in.
“Once alcohol is perceived, the intending passengers will be discharged.
“Alcohol intake by drivers is one of the major factors that cause accident on the highway, so it should be prevented,’’ he said.
Shehu also said that the association would collaborate with the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) to regulate traffic on the highways during the Christmas period.
He said that the areas of focus would be Lokoja and Onitsha head bridges which normally witnessed heavy traffic and subjected commuters to untold hardships.
“The traffic keeps people away from celebrating with their families during such period, but it will not happen again this time,’’ he said.
The RTEAN boss also advised drivers to always avoid drinking alcoholic while embarking on a journey and shun speeding to reduce the rate of accident. (NAN)
