A step in the right direction - Obi hails Tinubu over 50 per cent slash of interstate fares

Peter Obi and President Tinubu

Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in the February 2023 election, has reacted to the 50 percent slash in the price of interstate transport fare for Nigerians travelling during the 2023 Christmas.

President Bola Tinubu on Wednesday, December 20, approved a 50% rebate for inter-state travels and 100% for train travels for Nigerians wishing to embark on travels to other parts of the country for the Christmas and New Year festivities.

Obi raises concerns over fare slash

In a statement posted on X (formerly Twitter) on Friday, December 22, the former Anambra state governor applauded the move by the federal government as the first-time intervention of the government, intended to help the masses, a step in the right direction. But he has his reservations.

Obi's statement partly reads: "If fully implemented, as reported, I consider this first-time intervention of the government, intended to help the masses, a step in the right direction.

"I have taken time to inquire into the implementation mechanics across different cities but I have been disappointed.

"Today, I sent out contacts who consulted widely with the transporters in major parks across the country: in Abuja they carried out on-the-spot investigation in Jabi/Utako areas; in Lagos they visited major parks like Jibowu, Festac, Mile 12, Ajah, and Mazamaza and none of the transporters in these parks was aware of this 50% discount.

"There are obvious questions on the integrity of this intervention effort.

"Compassion on the part of government is a good thing, but it should not be an avenue for exploiting the weak structures of government to encourage less than transparent policy implementation."

transportation costs? Even the current effort comes with operational challenges. Millions of people have already traveled bearing the brunt and huge costs of such travels. How will such people get their refunds or be compensated?
— Peter Obi (@PeterObi) December 22, 2023