PRESIDENT Bola Tinubu on Wednesday approved a 50 per cent subsidy to interstate commuters on road during the yuletide beginning from Thursday, December 21, 2023 to January 4, 2024, while those commuting by train are to get free rides within the period.
The Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Mr Dele Alake, announced the package to State House correspondents at the Presidential Villa on Wednesday, although he did not use the word subsidy nor the modalities for a fraud-free administration of the Christmas package.
“It is in this wise that the President is announcing through us that beginning from tomorrow, December 21, Nigerians willing to travel can board public transport via mini buses, luxury buses at 50 per cent discount of current cost and all our train services on the route the trains currently serve at zero cost on their travels this holiday season.
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“This special presidential intervention will commence tomorrow, Thursday, December 21 and it will end on January 4, 2024.
“The Federal Government, through the Ministry of Transportation, will be working with transporters, road transport unions, the Nigerian Railway Corporation to seamlessly deliver on this special presidential initiative,” Mr Alake said, adding that: “I can tell you that all the relevant stakeholders in that industry have been discussed with or been engaged and all the parameters laid out and the Minister of Transportation has the full details and it’s on top of the game.
“In fact, the Presidents of the various transport unions have been met… and everything is in top shape in terms of execution.”
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The minister said air travel is however excluded from the subsidy as it is targeted at the masses. “The initiative is for the masses. Air is luxury. The masses don’t use air transport. So, they are our main target.”
