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Borno’s buses, electric taxis keep road fares low despite fuel price hike

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There is no doubt that this wonderful initiative is providing relief to Maiduguri residents through buses and electric taxis.

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The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that despite fuel hikes, Maiduguri’s over 80 buses, and 50 electric taxis kept their transport fares low, conveying passengers at ₦50 per drop for buses and ₦100 for taxis.

Many passengers who spoke to NAN on the development, particularly workers, students and traders said the impact of the subsidised government vehicles had been marvellous in their day-to-day activities.

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“I want to thank the Borno Government for this foresight as the subsidised buses saved us from 400-600 daily commute costs, now we pay just 100.

“Fuel price hike forces many car owners off roads, swelling bus demand and causing overcrowding, as commuters scramble for affordable transport.

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“I want to urge the government to sustain the good gesture because good governance is all about easing suffering,” Maryam Haruna, a civil servant said.

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Zakariya Peter, a student of the University of Maiduguri (UNIMAID) and Mustafa Abba, a student of Borno State University (BOSU), said if not for the buses, many students staying off campus may not be able to cope.

They observed that with the latest fuel hike, a student needs nothing less than N800 to board private commercial transport to and from UNIMAID as against N100 using a government bus.

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“I reside in Hausari ward, I just need to trek a short distance to the post office bus stop to board the bus to the university for just N50 and later return back after my lectures in the evening at the same cost.

“Imagine the buses are not available, private commercial cyclists now buying fuel at the cost of 1000 and above per litre will definitely charge nothing less than 300 to 400,” Peter said.

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A trader who hawks clothing materials, Mohammadu Kamale, said he depended solely on the buses to visit many wards in the town to attend to his customers.

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“Without these buses, I won’t be able to touch many places daily, because I will be operating at a loss.

“We need to thank the Borno Government for this and urge it to sustain the tempo by adding more vehicles to its fleet,” Kamale pleaded.

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One of the bus drivers who simply identified himself as Babagana, said the number of patronage had increased, saying that the crowd of passengers was now beyond control, thereby leading to overload.

“The moment you stopped, passengers rushed in to board the bus and you know you can’t tell anyone to go down if he/she insists on managing to his/her destination,” he noted.

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A driver of one of the electric taxis, who identified himself as Ali, said the taxis were allowed to carry just four passengers because of its small space, unlike the buses that have space for standing passengers.

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Ali said: “Electric taxis now charge seamlessly, as the government added new charging points to ease the taxi charging woes, eliminating past challenges.”

Mohammed Dahaya, a Director at Borno Express Corporation, noted with satisfaction that the Governor Zulum administration had spread its tentacles to reach out to farmers.

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He said apart from the subsidised buses and taxis operating in the town, the present administration had also sustained its policy of free rides to farmers in Maiduguri whose farmlands were located outskirts of Maiduguri.

“Free shuttle service is also being provided for farmers, dedicated buses transport them to and from farmlands, morning and evening, at no cost.

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“As you see me here, the free farmer transportation service on the Maiduguri-Damboa route is under close monitoring by me,” Dahaya said.

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Okpebholo orders Edo LG chairmen to submit 16 months account statements in 48 hours

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Okpebholo orders Edo LG – Okpebholo orders Edo LG…

Okpebholo orders Edo LG – Gov. Monday Okpebholo of…

Gov. Monday Okpebholo of Edo on Tuesday directed the 18 local government chairmen in the state to submit their statements of account from September 2023 to date within 48 hours.

A statement by Fred Itua, the Chief Press Secretary to the governor, instructed that the documents should be submitted to the Assets Verification Committee through the Secretary to the State Government (SSG).

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At a meeting with the chairmen, the governor emphasised the administration’s commitment to transparency and accountability.

Okpebholo, represented by the Deputy Governor, Dennis Idahosa, assured the council chairmen of collaborative governance for the betterment of the state.

The governor reiterated that the directive would enhance the committee’s ability to verify assets efficiently. According to the governor, I have listened keenly to the ALGON Chairman, I’m a leader of all and we are one family.

The governor urged the chairmen to comply with the directive promptly to support the committee’s work. 

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LASEMA rescues 4 victims from road accident on Third Mainland Bridge, Lagos

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LASEMA rescues 4 victims – LASEMA rescues 4 victims…

LASEMA rescues 4 victims – The Lagos State Emergency…

The Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), said it rescued four accident victims on Monday evening.

The agency’s Permanent Secretary, Dr Olufemi Oke-Osanyintolu, said this in a statement on Tuesday in Lagos. Oke-Osanyintolu said the victims were severely injured in the accident involving two buses.

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He said that the incident happened in the late hours of Monday, on Third Mainland Bridge, inward Owroronshoki.

“Following distress calls received through the 767 and 112 toll-free emergency lines at 17.25hrs, LASEMA activated its emergency response team from the  Command and Control Centre, Alausa, Ikeja.

“On arrival to the incident scene at 17.35hrs, we discovered that a white Toyota coaster bus, Registration Number KJA-380-XV collided with a parked Lagos State BRT, Registration Number AGL938-YD.

“This happened while the coaster bus was on motion resulting in significant damage and injuries.

“The accidented Toyota Coaster bus blindsided a parked BRT in an attempt to overtake a car while headed inward Iyana Oworo,” he said.

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He said four people were severely injured including the driver, adding that no fatalities were recorded in the incident.

“The recovery operation was coordinated by the agency and we extricated the trapped passengers.

“The injured victims were administered pre-hospital care treatment by the agency’s paramedics before being evacuated to nearby government-owned hospitals.

“The white coaster bus was subsequently towed to Iyana-Oworo and handed over to the Police. Recovery operation concluded,” he stated.

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Labour strikes cripple activities in 4 states over ₦70,000 minimum wage

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Labour strikes cripple activities – Labour strikes cripple activities…

Labour strikes cripple activities – Economic activities were paralysed…

Economic activities were paralysed in Abuja, Nasarawa, Kaduna, and Ebonyi states on Monday as the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC) embarked on a one-week warning strike over the non-implementation of the ₦70,000 minimum wage.

In Abuja, teachers expressed frustration with the Federal Capital Territory’s (FCT) area councils for failing to comply with the minimum wage directive.

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The labour action caused widespread disruption to public services across the nation’s capital.

Kaduna state saw ministries and agencies grind to a halt despite the government’s claims of having commenced minimum wage payments in October, barring consequential adjustments.

“We have started implementation,” said a Kaduna State official.

However, workers dismissed these claims as insufficient.

In Ebonyi, Governor Francis Nwifuru responded to the industrial action by announcing a 72-hour ultimatum for workers to resume or face dismissal.

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He stated that the state government had approved and started implementing a ₦75,000 minimum wage.

However, striking workers described the announcement as “mere rhetoric” lacking actionable backing.

Nasarawa also witnessed widespread disruption, with organised labour accusing state authorities of failing to meet the October and November implementation deadlines.

The strike highlights escalating tensions between labour unions and state governments over wage disparities. Union leaders have vowed to sustain their protest until their demands are met.

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