Ekiti government begs transporters to lower fares

Ekiti government is making moves reduce cost of transportation in the state, says Akin Oyebode, a spokesman for governor Kayode Fayemi, in a statement issued in Ado-Ekiti on Monday.
Mr. Oyebode said toward the realisation of the reversal, a government delegation, led by Biodun Omoleye, Chief of Staff to the governor, met with transportation unions on Sunday in Ado-Ekiti.
At the meeting were leaders and representatives of the National Union of Road Transport Workers, Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria (RTEAN), and Pick-up and Lorry Association of Nigeria.
Others represented were those of Okada Riders Association, Tricycle Riders Association, and the National Association of Cooperative Transport and Tipper Drivers Association.
The governor’s spokesman said the government was convinced that the astronomical increases in fares was responsible for unbearable increases in the costs of goods and services being experienced in the state.
He said government was astonished that transportation fare for a 45-kilometre journey outside the state, which used to be N500, suddenly went to as high as N1,400 and asked transportation unions to scale the fares downward in the interest of the masses.
“We hope that in the next five days, this high cost would be reversed for the good of all, Mr. Oyebode said in the statement.
Mr. Oyebode notes that at Sunday’s meeting, Chairman of RTEAN, Rotimi Olanbiwonninu, said the hike in the price of petrol, costly vehicle spare parts and the COVID-19 safety protocols, which demanded that transporters operated below capacity, combined to cause increased fares.
He lamented that proceeds from trips embarked upon by transporters who were compelled to reduce number of passengers barely covered the cost of buying fuel.
Also at the meeting were the Deputy Speaker of the House of Assembly, Hakeem Jamiu, the Commissioner for Information and Values Orientation, Akin Omole and the Commissioner for Trade and Investment, Muyiwa Olumilua.
In attendance were Ado Local Government Chairman, Mrs Omotunde Fajuyi and Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Community Engagement and Enlightenment, Mrs Tosin Ajisafe-Aluko.
We have recently deactivated our website's comment provider in favour of other channels of distribution and commentary. We encourage you to join the conversation on our stories via our Facebook, Twitter and other social media pages.
More from Peoples Gazette

Politics
Katsina youths pledge to deliver over 2 million votes to Atiku
“Katsina State is Atiku’s political base because it is his second home.”

States
Bauchi residents celebrate Gov. Mohammed’s re-election
The supporters were seen carrying placards with various inscriptions such as: “4+4”, “Kauran Bauchi” and “Jagaban Katagum”, among others.

World
China’s Xi Jinping arrives Russia to meet with Putin over Ukraine war
Mr Xi will be the first world leader to shake Mr Putin’s hand since the ICC issued an arrest warrant for him on Friday over the deportation of Ukrainian children to Russia.

World
Bomb blast kills mother, five children in Afghanistan
Officials on Monday reported a grenade bomb blast in Afghanistan’s central province of Ghor.

Rights
Court remands man, 25, for defiling teenager
The 16-year-old girl was on her way back from school when the defendant deceived and forcefully had sexual intercourse with her.

Politics
Enugu Guber: PDP, Labour supporters protest over announcement of results
Supporters of Labour Party are disputing the result, following multiple irregularities, and non-use of BVAS in the Nkanu East LGA of the state.

Hot news Home top
PDP’s Caleb Mutfwang wins Plateau governorship election
Election chief Musa Yusuf announced the results in Jos, the state capital, on Monday afternoon.