Governor Douye Diri of Bayelsa State unveiled 106 vehicles to enhance the intra-city transport system in Yenagoa, the state capital, and its surrounding areas on Thursday.
The new transport scheme, according to Governor Diri, will help cushion the effect of the removal of petrol subsidies and alleviate the sufferings of residents of the state.
Diri called upon the scheme’s operator, the Bayelsa State Transport Company (BTC), to consider the country’s current economic realities when determining fare rates for various routes during the scheme’s inauguration at the DSP Alamieyeseigha Banquet Hall in Onopa, Yenagoa.
The governor stated that the state government will not pay the drivers’ salaries and that those interested in driving the vehicles should keep in mind that the BTC, not the government, will negotiate that with them.
While assuring the people of the state of his commitment to ensuring prosperity for all, Governor Diri urged the BTC not to engage in any form of political bias when hiring drivers to manage the newly introduced vehicles.
Meanwhile, the Commissioner for Transport, Grace Ekiotenne, in her address, emphasized the sustainability of the scheme, unlike the failures of previous transportation initiatives under past administrations.
Ekiotenne said although the vehicles are property of the state government, the BTC will be responsible for their management, training of drivers, and other associated liabilities.
It is estimated that the Bayelsa State Transport Company will generate an average monthly income of ₦35 million from the operation of the transport scheme, according to the commissioner.
The governor then handed over the keys to the vehicles to the BTC General Manager, Imomotimi Fanama.
Source: The Guardian
