F.G. Approves N500m For FCT Transporters As Palliative

The Federal Government has approved N500m grant from the Subsidy Re-Investment and Empowerment Programme (SURE-P) as palliative to existing registered transport operators in the nation’s capital.
The Minister of FCT, Senator Bala Mohammed also announced that restriction of mini-bus in the nation’s capital will resume in three weeks.
The FCDA had earlier restricted unlicensed commercial transport operators in the nation’s capital as part of a new policy to decongest the city centre of vehicular traffic.
The minister also announced that 10,000 mini-bus conductors will be employed and paid regular salaries to avert issues of mass unemployment and insecurity.
Many residents, mini-bus drivers and commuters have waited with anxiety for about four weeks for the final decision on the enforcement of restriction of operations of mini buses to feeder routes in the Federal Capital Territory since it was last suspended.
In the next two years according to the authorities of the Federal Capital Territory, all commercial vehicles including taxis should be of international standard through several collaborations with the private sector.
Also an integrated e-ticketing system is underway to ensure complete success of the high capacity bus operation in the FCT.
Heads of various transport associations, Nigeria Labour Congress and Civil Society Organisations already have given full endorsement of the policy. What remains to be seen is how efficient the FCT would handle the new policy to avert suffering of the ordinary resident of the nation’s capital.