The Federal Government has said 163,878 Nigerians benefitted from its 50 per cent transportation discount and free train transportation schemes during the Yuletide.
Dele Alake, the Minister of Solid Minerals Development and Chairman of the Committee on the Implementation of the Federal Government of the initiative, disclosed this through his official X handle on Monday.
Alake, giving a 10-day update on the initiative, said 71,000 passengers enjoyed free train services provided by Nigeria Railway Corporation, 77,122 passengers and 15,766 passengers benefited from the 50 per cent 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 pleased to report that our programme has been a tremendous success, benefiting over 160,000 passengers nationwide.
“This initiative, approved by President Tinubu on December 19, 2023, provided free transportation on the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) routes and a 50 per cent subsidy on transport fares for passengers travelling on 30 bus routes operated by the Association of Luxury Bus Owners of Nigeria, ALBON.
“We intended to alleviate the financial burden citizens face, particularly during these challenging times due to the global pandemic and other economic factors. I am proud to share that between December 21 and December 31, 2023, the NRC conveyed 71,000 passengers, while buses under ALBON carried 77,122 passengers. Additionally, 652 bus trips from Oshodi Interchange in Lagos carried 15,766 passengers. These numbers demonstrate 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 ongoing.
“The success of this initiative exemplifies President Tinubu’s care and concern for the Nigerian people, and we will continue to monitor compliance and provide intervention when necessary,” he said.
Recall that on December 19, President Tinubu approved a 50 per cent bus discount and free train transport for Nigerians travelling at the Yuletide.
