Favour Ozioma Ogbodo
The Federal Government has announced that it will bear fifty percent of the cost of transportation for Nigerians travelling for the Christmas and end of year holidays, in addition to free train rides across all stations in the country.
Minister for Solid Minerals, Dele Alake, disclosed this in a press conference on Wednesday.
He told journalists at the briefing which also had his transportation counterpart and the media aide to the president in attendance, that the intervention will begin on Thursday, December 21, to January 4, 2024.
“The Federal Government is announcing, beginning from tomorrow, a special discounted holiday season fare on road transport and zero-fare by rail across Nigeria,” he stated.
“What this means is that from tomorrow, Nigerians willing to travel can board public transport via minibuses, 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.”
He explained that the purpose of the gesture was to enable Nigerians to celebrate the season without the extra burden of high transportation fare. According to him, a committee which he heads has held met with transport services owners to agree on ways to implement the payment plan.
The Minister also assured that the government has met with the Police, the Department of State Security (DSS) and the Military to secure all parts of the country so Nigerians can enjoy their break without fear.
“While we wish all Nigerians a great holiday season, we implore everyone to be law-abiding, be security conscious, be our brother’s keepers, and extend every goodwill to our families, friends and neighbours,” he added.
