By Emmanuel Antswen
Gov. Hyacinth Alia of Benue, has presented 100 new Toyota Hiace buses to Benue Links Transport Company to cushion the effect of subsidy removal in the State.
Performing the ceremony in Makurdi on Thursday, Alia said the initiative was to keep his promise to Benue people in providing affordable and comfortable mean of transportation.
The New Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the transportation company is owned 100 per cent by the state government.
He said the buses would go a long way to ease transportation challenges among travelers in the state.
“I am happy to that even before the arrival and hand over of these buses, the management of Benue Links has been proactive by identifying and opening new routes to reach more towns and villages across the state.
“As we hand over the new buses, it is our hope and expectation that more routes will be opened and fares dropped for interested passengers.
”It is our desire that farmers, market men and women, civil servants and indeed all Benue residents have better traveling experiences with the unleashing of the new buses.
“There is no gain saying that transportation has become a necessity in contemporary life as it enhances economic growth.
“This informed our choice of the project as a palliative strategy to cushion the harsh effects of fuel subsidy removal on the people.”he said
The governor appealed to the management of the company to ensure that only qualified drivers were employed to drive the buses.
“As I hand over these buses, my appeal to the management of Benue Links is to ensure that all drivers handling them are qualified, professional and dedicated.
“There should be very strict monitoring of their activities with a view to checking arbitrary hike in fares, over-loading and possible disregard for traffic rules and regulations.”he said
Alia commended President Bola Tinubu, for introducing palliative from which states could choose to address the peculiar needs of their people.
“We are also eagerly awaiting the Federal Government’s Compressed Natural Gas powered buses to boost our efforts,” he added.
On insecurity, the governor said all bandits, kidnappers, cultists, armed robbers and other kinds of criminals should embrace peace immediately or leave the state.
According to him, his administration will do everything possible to ensure that such people have no place in the state to thrive.
He said his administration was going to supply special seedlings to farmers next season to boost their produce.
Alia commended the people for their continued support and gave the assurance that he would not fail them
Earlier, tbe Deputy Governor Sam Ode, in his goodwill message said upon assumption of office, the transportation company was moribund and needed immediate intervention.
Ode said the transportation company was one of the sure ways of reaching out to millions of residents.
He also said that the governor, also a Catholic Priest had returned dignity to governance and the people were now enjoying.
In his welcome address, the Commissioner for Power, Energy and Transportation, Mr Omale Omale, said the company was established in 1988.
He said it was regrettable that previous administrations had neglected the transportation company, hence, the need for intervention by the present government.
(NAN)
