Passengers have expressed dissatisfaction with the Federal Government’s 50% transport palliative scheme, which ended on January 5, 2025.
Many accused the transport unions and those in charge of the program of fraudulent practices.
The Federal Ministry of Transportation had announced a 50% yuletide transport palliative starting from December 20, 2024, and concluding on January 5, 2025.
The initiative led to large crowds of travelers heading to various motor parks across the country.
However, passengers in states such as Anambra, Bayelsa, Enugu, and Rivers voiced their discontent with the scheme.
Earlier, the Road Transport Employees Association of Nigeria, National Union of Road Transport Workers, Association of Luxurious Bus Owners of Nigeria, Good is Good Motors, and the National Association of Road Transport Owners had signed an agreement with the Federal Government to implement the scheme, aimed at reducing transportation costs for Nigerians.
In Anambra, travelers complained about the high cost of transportation despite the announced palliative.
Many found that fares were still steep, with some paying up to 300% more than usual.
Chinedu Uzor, a passenger, shared his experience, “I am not aware of any transport palliative by the Federal Government. You can see the exorbitant prices commercial drivers are demanding. That has been the case since. I took my family to my hometown in Nsukka, Enugu State, on December 29, 2024, and we paid N14,500 for one seat, this is a journey that used to be about N3,000 to N4,000 during the normal period.”
A driver from Awka to Enugu, Joseph Akunruo, stated, “We are not aware of any bus palliatives and there was nothing like that as we did not partake in the palliative operations. Drivers are not to blame for the hike in transport fares during the yuletide. Many factors such as the high influx of passengers, cost of fuel and poor roads are some of the basic reasons.”
In Bayelsa, both motorists and travelers also claimed they were unaware of the palliative scheme.
Mrs. Eruvwu Gladys, a frequent traveler to Warri, confirmed that she paid the usual N4,000 fare, “When I travelled during the yuletide to Warri to get supplies, I paid the usual fare of N4,000. I did not hear about any reduction in the transport fare.”
John Gilbert added, “I know that the Federal Government promised to subsidise transport fares, but I don’t think Bayelsans have been enjoying it. Those who carried out the assignment should be questioned.”
In Enugu, bus drivers and transport unions shared similar sentiments, claiming they had not seen any transport palliative.
Chinedu Onyekachukw, a commuter driver, said, “I only heard about the Federal Government bus palliative for citizens on Channels TV. I am a member of the Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria and in all our meetings nobody has said he received palliative funds.”
Chinwoke Ebere, another driver, remarked, “Before the Christmas celebration we collect between N2,500 and N3,000 depending on the location you board the vehicle. Since December 24, the transport fare has increased. We are now collecting N5,000 and N7,000.”
The Chairman of the RTEAN in Enugu, Chidiebere Aniagu, also confirmed the lack of palliative distribution in the state, “My members didn’t receive bus palliative for Enugu citizens. I heard it the way you heard it.”
However, passengers in Edo State praised the scheme. Blessing Osaro, a traveler, shared her positive experience, “The programme is a good one. At least it took a little pressure off my spending, I paid half the price. However, I didn’t set out to take the bus, I was just fortunate to meet the vehicle at Ojota Motor Park.”
In Rivers State, Johnson, the Manager of InterUrban Transport Company, confirmed that transportation fares had increased rather than decreased.
“The 50 per cent palliative didn’t take effect. We didn’t participate. There was no notice, no proper arrangement, we are not aware of that,” he said.
In contrast, Akwa Ibom passengers and drivers praised the palliative scheme. Uwem Umoh, Chairman of the National Union of Road Transport Workers in the state, noted,, “The Federal Government’s 50 per cent reduction which ended on January 5th was very successful in the state, the level of compliance was okay. From Uyo to Lagos state the transport fee was initially N70,000 by small bus but now passengers only paid half of that and this has really helped a lot of people to travel during the festive periods.”
When contacted for comment, the Director of Press and Public Relations at the transportation ministry, Olujimi Oyetomi, initially stated that complaints should not be directed to the ministry but later mentioned that the minister would address the issue on Tuesday.
Oyetomi also explained, “We didn’t contract them (unions), we only wanted Nigerians to have succour. Since it is about how many people they carry, compliance is none of our business.”
Regarding the ministry’s stance on the scheme, Oyetomi said, “Our monitors will return to base either tonight or tomorrow and the ministry will meet on Tuesday and we will issue a statement and that will be the findings of the ministry.”
