The Lapai Emirate Council on Monday approved a reduction in transport and commercial motorcycle fares across Lapai town, surrounding communities and major intercity routes in Niger.

The reduction followed a directive by the Emir of Lapai, Umar Bago, aimed at easing transportation costs for residents and students.

The district head of Takuti, Shehu Usman-Abdulkadir, who announced the review in Lapai, said representatives of the council met with leaders of transport unions operating within the emirate.

He said the meeting, convened on the emir’s directive, brought together representatives of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) and the Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria (RTEAN).

“Among others are the National Association of Transport Owners (NATO) and the Amalgamated Commercial Motorcycle Owners and Riders Association of Nigeria (ACCOMORAN),” he said.

Mr Usman-Abdulkadir said the meeting resolved to reduce transport fares on major routes in response to prevailing economic challenges and to provide relief for commuters.

“As directed by His Royal Highness, I convened a crucial meeting with transport workers across Lapai under the leadership of NURTW, RTEAN, NATO and ACCOMORAN.

‘’The goal is to review and reduce transport fares to ease the burden on our people. Residents of Lapai should expect a significant reduction in transport fares, both within the town and to neighbouring and distant destinations,” he said.

He said under the revised fare structure, passengers travelling from Lapai to Suleja would pay N3,000 instead of N3,500, while the fare to Minna had been reduced from N3,000 to N2,500.

According to him, the fare from Lapai to Lokoja has been reduced from N9,000 to N7,500, while passengers travelling to Sokoto will now pay N18,000 instead of N20,000.

He added that the fare to Bida had been reduced from N4,000 to N3,500, while passengers travelling to Ilorin would pay N11,500 instead of N12,000.

He also said commercial motorcycle fares had been reviewed downward.

He said the fare from Lapai to Takalafiya had been reduced from N600 to N400, while commuters travelling from Lapai to Barugu would pay N600 instead of N800.

He added that trips from the Central Garage to any destination within Lapai town are fixed at N100, while commuters travelling to Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University, Lapai, will pay N200.

According to him, the revised fares were adopted and endorsed on July 10 by transport union leaders and other key stakeholders.

He said the intervention underscored the emir’s commitment to improving the welfare of residents by ensuring transportation remained affordable amid prevailing economic hardship. 

(NAN)