163,878 Nigerians benefitted from transport discount at Yuletide – FG

The Federal Government has announced that 163,878 Nigerians took advantage of its 50 percent transportation discount and free train transportation schemes during the festive season.

Dele Alake, the Minister of Solid Minerals Development and Chairman of the Committee on the Implementation of the Federal Government of the initiative, revealed this through his official X handle on Monday.

Alake, giving a 10-day update on the initiative, said 71,000 passengers travelled for free on the trains provided by Nigeria Railway Corporation, 77,122 passengers, and 15,766 passengers enjoyed the 50 percent bus transport discount.

“As the Chairman of the Committee on the Implementation of the End-of-Year Transportation Subsidy Programme of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, I am delighted to report that our programme has been a huge success, reaching over 160,000 passengers across the country.

“This initiative, approved by President Tinubu on December 19, 2023, offered free transportation on the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) routes and a 50 percent subsidy on transport fares for passengers travelling on 30 bus routes operated by the Association of Luxury Bus Owners of Nigeria, ALBON.

“We aimed to ease the financial strain citizens face, especially during these difficult times due to the global pandemic and other economic factors. I am happy to share that between December 21 and December 31, 2023, the NRC transported 71,000 passengers, while buses under ALBON carried 77,122 passengers. Furthermore, 652 bus trips from Oshodi Interchange in Lagos carried 15,766 passengers. These numbers show that 163,878 passengers benefitted from the Presidential Yuletide Transportation Subsidy in the first ten days of the programme.

“I urge cooperation from passengers and bus companies for the return trips until Thursday, January 4, 2024, as the programme is still ongoing.

“The success of this initiative reflects President Tinubu’s care and concern for the Nigerian people, and we will continue to oversee compliance and provide assistance when needed,” he said.