Over 6k passengers enjoyed FG’s 50% discount at our terminal, says Lagos transport company

Biodun Otunola, the managing director of Planet Project Limited, a transport company in the Oshodi area of Lagos, says over 6,000 passengers benefitted from the 50 percent reduction in transport fares at the terminal. 

On December 20, President Bola Tinubu approved a 50 percent discount for inter-state road travel and 100 percent for train trips for Nigerians travelling to celebrate Christmas with their families.

Dele Alake, minister of solid minerals, who announced the development at the state house, said the discount would run from December 21 to January 4, 2024.

In an interview with journalists on the last day, Otunola said over 700 vehicles transported more than 6,000 travellers from the terminal to their respective destinations in compliance with the government’s scheme.

“At this terminal, we have attended to over 6,000 Nigerians who have benefitted from this scheme (in fifteen days), with over 700 vehicles that have transported the passengers which is more than what we usually have here. Nigerians trooped out to take advantage of the discount,” he said.

“It was more like an emergency programme by the federal government. I think the government deserves a lot of credit for doing this within this short period.

“In a country of 36 states, the transportation system of our country is not as well organised as it should be. There’s no institutional strength and infrastructure to implement this kind of programme. 

“For the first time, people were being refunded money. People were refunded as high as N15,000. They were shocked. From this terminal, it’s 100 percent compliance.”

Dauda Hassan, a beneficiary of the discount travelling to Akure, the capital of Ondo, said he was refunded half of the amount he paid to the transport company before the commercial vehicle he boarded left the terminal.

“It is surprising because this is the first time I’ve witnessed such. We paid N7, 500 and we were refunded N3, 750.

Samuel Emmanuel, another passenger on his way to Imo, appreciated the federal government but expected “more of this because it helps. It is a relief and the best way is for the government to continue it till the price of petrol reduces”.

TheCable revealed how some transport companies defied the government’s 50 percent discount directive.

On Monday, Alake said about 163,878 Nigerians benefitted from the transportation rebate nationwide.