By JOY ADARA, Abuja –
The Federal Government has said it would evolve strategise at checking arbitrary hike on transportation fares during festive periods.
The Minister of State for Transportation, Sen. Gbemisola Sariki, who disclosed this during a meeting with stakeholders in the road transport sector in Abuja, said the meeting was at the instance of the House of Representatives, following deliberations on the arbitrary increase in transport fares during festive periods, particularly for land transport.
Senator Saraki, who was represented by the Director, Road Transport and Mass Transit Administration of the ministry, Mary Ejembi, said an in-depth look at reasons for fare hikes which cause the citizens pains and affect the economy adversely was the trust of the meeting.
According to Ejembi, the lawmakers were concerned that well-meaning Nigerians were already viewing the situation as gross exhibition of greed.
She said they also viewed it as a monumental corruption on the part of transporters who capitalise on high commuter traffic to exploit the people.
She said: ”The stakeholders after due deliberations, called on the Federal Government to prioritise road construction and maintenance to reduce the damage to vehicles.
called on the government to reduce park duties while also enacting traffic laws backed up with technology. They also advised that the activities of unions be monitored and regulated to reduce the hardship on passengers”.
”They equally suggested that road transport unions should be compelled to organise periodic trainings for drivers to curb incessant road mishaps.”
Earlier, the National President, Driving School Association of Nigeria (DSAN), Mr Jide Owatunmise, in his remarks disclosed that “recovery factor” was one of the elements responsible for the hike in fares during festive periods.
Mr. Owatunmise said this was because road operators see festive periods as an opportunity to recover lost grounds during off-festive seasons.
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