As part of its Comprehensive Transport Scheme, the Delta State Government has embarked on the subsidization of Transportation fares for people of the state as well as free transport service for school children. Commissioner for Transport, Delta State, Hon. Benson Igbakpa made this known at the Delta City Bus Terminal, Agbarho during an inspection by members of the National Good Governance Tour on Friday.
According to the Commissioner, the Scheme which started in 2007 with just 90 buses now runs over 600 buses.
“We have 50 eighteen seater buses for school shuttle for students. They take children to school, they don’t pay anything the State Government actually pays. We have another 600 for carriage of passengers and 50 of the Marcopolo high capacity 50 seater buses for transportation. All the buses are routed. The buses get to all the villages in Delta State no matter how remote they are.
“When you use our urban mass transit buses the state government subsidizes the transport fare, so today we can boast of parading the cheapest transport fares in Nigeria. Even during the Christmas time when transporters charge 6,000 to Abuja and Lagos ours is 2,500 and Deltans can attest to that”, Igbakpa informed.
He said “In Delta State we believe in Public Private Partnership (PPP) arrangement because it’s always said most times that Government has no business in business. But His Excellency the Governor has taken initiative to be the first risk taker and that is why all these buses are being operated by private companies”.
The Commissioner further explained that for ease of road access the big buses ply the big cities and highways while the small buses are for connecting routes, adding that roads are being constructed accordingly.
In addition, he stated that at the end of each month, the State Government pays the operators.
He also revealed that the State Government is to complement the Toyota buses used for the Scheme with 30 high capacity buses to be supplied by a local vehicle manufacturer- INNOSON Motors in Nnewi which he added is to ease maintenance.
“I visited INNOSON Factory and I was amazed at what they are doing there. For the fact that we have people in Nigeria that can produce such things and compete with foreign ones, I think they should be encouraged and the Governor thought along this line and approved that we should order from them”, the Commissioner stated.
Minister of Information, Mr. Labaran Maku thanked the Delta State Government for its comprehensive transportation policy. He said
“We have seen what you are doing on water, we are seeing what you have done on road, we’ve seen what you are doing in the air.
“Citizens suffer a lot on Transportation. It’s very important to have a comprehensive transport policy to alleviate the suffering of people.
The Minister further said that “Transportation well organized can promote quick economic development. So the movement of goods and services is key to economic development.
“I also like the fact that you are offering opportunities to young people as drivers, as part owners of vehicles, boats and so on. This is very very good for the people of Delta State”, Mr. Maku added.