Former presidential candidate, Peter Obi has described the Federal Government’s 50 percent subsidy on public transport as a step in the right direction.
Obi, the 2023 presidential candidate of Labour Party (LP), said this in a statement shared on X on Friday.
“I read the reports of the President’s approval of a 50 percent slash in the price of interstate transport fare for Nigerians travelling during this Yuletide from Thursday 21, 2023 to January 4, 2024.
“The news reports added that the President also approved free rides for commuters on all train services within the period.
“If fully implemented, as reported, I consider this first-time intervention of the government, intended to help the masses, a step in the right direction,” the businessman-cum-politician said.
However, he said, the major concern about such “emergency measures” is its implementation.
Obi said he took time to inquire into the implementation mechanics of the public transport subsidy across different cities but was disappointed with what he found.
“Today, I sent out contacts who consulted widely with the transporters in major parks across the country: in Abuja they carried out on the spot investigation in Jabi/Utako areas; in Lagos they visited major parks like Jibowu, Festac, Mile 12, Ajah, and Mazamaza and none of the transporters in these parks was aware of this 50% discount.
“At Upper Iweka, Onitsha, which is the main traffic hub in Anambra, and in other parts of the country like; Kano, Aba, Kaduna, Owerri, and Gombe, the story is the same.
“The government has again announced the few transport companies chosen to participate in the intervention for which 28 Routes have been designated.
“There are no announced forms of checks and balances to ensure that the transporters follow the terms of the contract,” Obi observed.
Obi added, “The high cost of transportation and associated hardships are all well known.
“The question this seasonal palliative raises is that of what happens after the festive season.
“Is there a sustainable policy measure to cushion the masses from the current high transportation costs? Even the current effort comes with operational challenges.
“Millions of people have already traveled bearing the brunt and huge costs of such travels. How will such people get their refunds or be compensated?”