Ahead of the Muslim festive period called Eid-el-Kabir, the National Assembly (NASS) has urged the Ministry of Transportation to evolve strategize at checking arbitrary hikes on transportation fares.
The Minister of State for Transportation, Sen. Gbemisola Saraki, disclosed this on Friday during a meeting with stakeholders in the road transport sector in Abuja
Saraki 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.
Saraki, 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 capitalize on high commuter traffic to exploit the people.
”The stakeholders after due deliberations called on the Federal Government to prioritize road construction and maintenance to reduce the damage to vehicles.
”They 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 organize periodic training for drivers to curb incessant road mishaps.” she said
Politics Nigeria learnt that the Deputy Director, RT/MT, FMT, Ojo Idihaloise; the General Secretary, National Union of Road Transport Workers, Mr Anthony Asogwa; and President, Almgamated Commercial Tricycle and Motorcycle Owners Repairs and Riders Association of Nigeria, Managing Director, Road Accident Prevention Network Centre, Mr Ache Ogu; a representative from the Nigerian Police Force, Olarewaju Stephen; President, Painted Abuja Taxi, Shehu Shugaba- Yar’Adua; and President, Female Drivers Association of Nigeria, Eunice Odeghe, were also present at the interface attended the meeting.
