President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Newsone Nigeria reports that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has announced waivers on transport fares for interstate road travellers during Christmas and New Year.
This online news platform understands that President Tinubu said the federal government will bear 50 per cent of the transport fares for interstate road travellers across the country during Yuletide. The president added that train rides will be absolutely free across the nation beginning from December 21, 2023, to January 4, 2024.
Dele Alake, the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, disclosed this while briefing State House correspondents at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
The Minister said that all the logistics on the implementation have been worked out between the Minister of Transportation and the transport unions and luxurious buses owners.
Alake said: “In recognition of the economic situation of the country which he is working very hard to turn around, President Tinubu wants Nigerians to be able to travel within Nigeria to wherever they want to go to meet their loved ones without the extra burden of paying exorbitantly for inter-state public owners.
“It is in this wise that the Federal Government is announcing, beginning from tomorrow, a special discounted holiday season fare on road transport and zero-fare by rail across Nigeria.
“What this means is that from tomorrow, Nigerians willing to travel can board public transport via luxury buses at a 50% discount of current cost and all our train services on the routes the trains currently serve at zero cost to and fro on their travels this holiday season.”
Alake said to achieve the discount, the federal government through the Ministry of transportation, will be working with transporters, road transport unions, and the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC).
He added: “The federal government under the leadership of President Tinubu is working very hard to make sure Nigerians have a memorable and happy holiday season.
“The president has already directed the police, department of state services, the military and other security agencies to work collaboratively to ensure the holiday period is safe without any security breach in any part of the country.
“While we wish all Nigerians a great holiday season, we implore everyone to be law-abiding, be security conscious, be our brother’s keepers, extend every goodwill to our families, friends and neighbours.
“We should continue to work within our sphere of influence to make our country the very best we all desire her to be.
“While we celebrate and enjoy all the social activities that come with the season, let us also remember to celebrate in moderation.”