BY AKUDORO GLORIA
The Minister of Solid Minerals Development and Chairman of the Presidential Inter-ministerial Committee on Subsidised Yuletide Inter-state transport, Dr. Dele Alake has assured Nigerians that logistics for the 50 per cent discount on road transport on 22 major routes across the country from 21st December 2023 has been finalised.
This is contained in statement signed by Segun Tomori, Special Assistant on Media to the Minister of Solid Minerals Development on Wednesday 20 December, 2023 in Abuja.
Alake, while addressing the press after a follow up meeting, alongside Minister of Interior, Hon. Olubunmi Ojo and his Transportation counterpart, Senator Saidu Ahmed Alkali; reiterated that all is set for the effective implementation of the initiative which is targeted at easing the burden of high cost of transport on Nigerians this festive season.
Dr. Alake had in the company of Ministers of Transportation, Saidu Alkali; Information and National Orientation Mohammed Idris and Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga announced a Presidential intervention to reduce the cost of inter-state road transport by 50 per cent while commuting on railways will be free from 21st December 2023 to 4th January, 2024.
In his remarks, Senator Alkali stated that the Federal Government is using the structured Luxury Buses Association of Nigeria to operate the discounted fares in the 22 routes, across the country as implementation will commence by Thursday, while the specified routes will be announced, shortly.
On securing mining sites, the Interior Minister said that the National Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) will play a significant role in the new security architecture in the works. He said collaboration with the Ministry of Solid Minerals Development in this regard remains unflinching.