The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Transport

  • Commuters bemoan new transport policy

    The new FCT transport policy which took off on June 3 came with many challenges, but one very common to all, was that many commuters were stranded at various bus stops.

    Residents of Gwagwa-Karmo, Dutse and parts of Kubwa were left stranded and stood for long at their respective bus-stops owing to a shortfall in high capacity buses to move them to their destinations obviously due to the underestimation of the population in these areas.

    Also, many commuters who work in the city but live in the suburbs of the satellite towns such as Masaka, Ado and Maraba Nyanya axis were not left out following the dearth of buses.

    For many, the rates increased as the restricted mini-buses charged higher fare from their bus-stops to the designated points where the high capacity buses are supposed to pick passengers, thereby increasing their cost of transportation.

    Many residents agreed that the new policy, if well implemented, will reduce the usual traffic logjam in town but others doubt its effectiveness.

    According to Miss Blessing Ogbonna, a resident of Mararaba, the buses that the administration claims to be plying most routes are not yet available and residents like herself, paid about N200 coming into town compared to a fare of N70 she used to pay.

    Despite the challenges, the Federal Capital Territory Administration, (FCTA) has enjoined residents to embrace the new policy aimed at improving the transport operations in the Federal Capital City, (FCC).

    This was made known by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory Administration, Senator Bala Mohammed through his Senior Special Assistant on Political Matters and National Assembly, Sen. Usman Jibril Wowo.

    Wowo said the new transport policy was part of the welfare package by the administration for the residents and it would improve on the man-hour of the workers and business men alike as the city centre would be plied by the certified high capacity buses running scheduled services.

    He pointed out that when new policies take off, there are some minor challenges which are fine-tuned over time, assuring the residents that the new policy will meet public aspiration in the shortest possible time.

    “This policy will make people move from the satellite towns to the city with ease and at a cheaper rate as the highest fare is N150 for people from Gwagwalada, Kuje and Zuba and as low as N50 for movements within the business district.

    “Besides, the vehicles are to take off at an interval of between three and 10 minutes whether they are filled or not because they are subsidised and would help to build a culture of timeliness to catch in the long run” wowo stated.

    He noted that even though the policy had attracted a lot of criticisms initially from the public leading to delay in its implementation such vent of public view reflected the right of the citizens to seek clarification on any issue that they do not understand from the administration.

    The Special Assistant added that given the respect the administration has for the FCT resident’s implementation of the policy was shifted twice to accommodate useful public views which have helped to sharpen the policy for general acceptability.

    He said “I recall that the FCT chapter of National Union of Road Transport Workers, (NURTW) Self Employed Commercial Drivers Association, (SECDA) Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria, (RTEAN) and Painted Abuja Taxi, (PAT) were amongst those who took it upon themselves to educate their membership for a successful implementation of the policy when they were convinced it is a good policy for their business and the commuters.

    According to him the various groups represented by their leaders in the series of meetings endorsed the new policy and pledge support for the programme which would reduce the heavy

    traffic often witnessed in the city centre while man-hour for businesses is gained for higher productivity both in the public and private sector for the overall benefit of the FCT and the country.

    He charged the various groups to contain erring members of their associations especially the touts who carry out illegal arrest on the roads in the guise of representing the union to desist from the action as security men will not hesitate to enforce the relevant laws.

     

  • New transport policy unsettles bus owners

    Imagine a park filled with commuters on a rainy June evening, the torrents of rain pelting the waiting crowd, the icy winds making them shiver to the bone marrows in the approaching night while waiting for vehicles that never came.

    Would this be the impending fate of thousands of workers and commuters in the coming days?

    From this week what will be the lot of the masses in the Federal Capital Territory in terms of transportation? How much is going to be the amount to be spent by an average worker for daily transportation in Abuja in the coming days? How long would it take people to get to work in the mornings and home in the evenings?

    Would people be able to afford taxis or have the energy to trek long distances everyday to and from their offices and various destinations?

    These are the questions currently being asked by concerned citizens in the Federal Capital City of Abuja.

    The FCT Administration decided that from that date mini-buses shall no longer operate within the main city. The administration has said that any mini- bus found in the city after that date would be impounded.

    The determination of the FCT administration to enforce the policy has elicited concerns and criticisms from the populace about the fate of the thousands of workers that commute daily from the satellite towns of the FCT to the city centre on a daily basis.

    There is also the fear that the stoppage could escalate the current unemployment situation and increase the crime rate in the capital city.

    Scores of mini-bus owners and drivers last Tuesday staged a protest at the National Assembly over the imminent ban of the buses in the Federal Capital Territory metropolis.

    An earlier test of the policy for a few days in February by the FCT Administration left thousands of commuters stranded across the city.

    The Transport Secretariat of the FCT has expressed the intention to confine the operations of the mini-buses to the satellite towns in the FCT and stop them from coming into the city and to replace their services with long buses.

    The new policy initially thought to have been postponed indefinitely is now the source of apprehension in the city as those who are not car owners believe that the policy would compound an already complex transportation situation.

    There are also fears that the cost of transportation will skyrocket and commercial activities in the city would be affected.

    The protesters at the National Assembly last Tuesday under the aegis of the Owners and Drivers of Mini-Buses Association in the FCT, described the new policy as “obnoxious policy on transport,” and that it is “not mass-friendly.”

    “About 62,000 drivers and conductors will be denied of their daily bread as a result of this inhuman government arrangement,” the association said.

    Members of the association carried various banners that had inscriptions like: “We are Nigerians, give us our right to work please,” “We are not in military regime, we are in democracy, hear our cry,” “We’re part of the organised labour, we are not touts, live and let live,” “SOS, SOS, save our jobs, don’t throw us into starvation and death. Save our jobs,” “NASS save our families.”

    Other banners read: “We are legitimate drivers and conductors, NASS stop this impending slavery,” “Is government afraid of competition? Live and let live,” “Create jobs not joblessness.”

    A member of the association, Prince Paul Omeire, stated that the objective of the protest was to get the National Assembly influence the FCT Transport Secretariat change the policy

    “We are members of Owners and Drivers Association, and we operate the town service. We own the bus and drive it. Our problem is with the Transport Secretariat of the FCT.

    “The new transport policy is that we should stop operation in the city on June 3 and this means that thousands of drivers and conductors with their families and other extension will suffer. We create jobs and we don’t know why they want to create joblessness,” he said.

    On why they were at the National Assembly, he said “We are here to see our representatives at the National Assembly and see if we can get the FCT Transport Secretariat to change the policy.

    “In many cities across the world, small, big buses as well as taxis operate without hindrance, why should it be different in Abuja, all we want is peaceful co-existence.

    Omeire said that in the alternative, the FCT could build alternate motor parks and garages in the city where the mini-buses can utilise within the city, “so that the complaints of disturbance will stop.”

    The association enjoined all FCT residents to “Lend your voice and save the situation,” adding that “we are persuaded that the timely disapproval and condemnation by the masses of the FCT of the Machiavellian policy can make the FCT policy makers think twice.”

    Clement Acholonu, an FCT resident who stays in Maraba told The Nation that the problem stems from a disconnect of the policy makers from the problems of the people.

    “These people do not understand. They have many cars. Do they stand in the sun like we do? Do they stand in the rain like we do? Do they feel our pains? Do they trek kilometres after a hard day’s job? Of course, the answer is no. Its not enough to sit in air-conditioned offices and craft policies that affect the people negatively. That is not governance,” he said.

     

  • Alaafin reconciles warring transport workers

    Warring members of the National Union of Road TransportWorkers (NURTW) and the Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria (RTEAN) in Oyo Federal Constituency yesterday convened at the palace of the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi III, to resolve their differences.

    The meeting was convened by the Caretaker Chairman of Atiba Local Government, Prince Adeniyi Adeyemi.

    The protracted feud of the unions reached a climax during the administration of former Governor Adebayo Alao-Akala, when people were killed and property destroyed in the unions’ clashes.

    Peace returned to the state when Governor Abiola Ajimobi banned activities of the unions.

    Members of the unions assembled at the palace yesterday to seek the Alaafin’s forgiveness for their misdeeds.

    Oba Adeyemi said before they could return to motor parks, they must eschew thuggery, alcoholism, unruly behaviours to commuters and exempt miscreants from their activities.

    He said: “The people of Oyo Federal Constituency appreciate the laudable steps taken by the governor to restore peace, which is vital for progress.

    “Oyo State is no longer a theatre of war. We are indeed grateful and will continue to support him whole-heartedly. We will no longer tolerate acts capable of stultifying the ongoing transformation in the state from any group.”

    The monarch assured them that they would benefit from the luxury buses given to local governments in the constituency.

    The council chairman said the meeting was to consolidate on the government’s efforts to sustain peace in the state.

    He thanked the Alaafin for his support for the Ajimobi administration.

    The meeting was attended by leaders of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) in the constituency, led by the Chairman, Pa A. Ogundiran.

     

  • Lagos transport initiative excites World Bank

    The World Bank is excited over the implementation of the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) initiative of the Lagos State government. It described it as “a faster, efficient, effective and affordable means of responding to the people’s needs for mass transportation.

    The BRT is one of the initiatives introduced by Governor Babatunde Fashola under the Lagos Urban Transport Project (LUTP) in resolving the ever rising needs of providing a more comfortable and convenient needs for the over 10 million commuters.

    World Bank President Dr. Jim Yong Kim, who spoke in Washington, the United States at the 10th yearly transforming transformation conference hosted by the World Bank and EMBARQ, said the implementation of the LUTP intiaitive by the Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA), has been of immense benefit to commuters.

    Kim, who singled out the Mile 12 to CMS BRT services which was LAMATA’s flagship transportation scheme, said commuters now enjoy among other benefits; reduced transport fares, reduced waiting time at bus stations on the BRT corridor, improved lifestyle and new job opportunities.

    He said the initiative, which is first of its kind in the sub-Saharan Africa, has become a template of the ‘ready-to-go solutions’ that can be implemented quickly by cities with serious transport challenges.

    “In Nigeria, we have what is called the Lagos Urban Transport Project. It is a bus-based rapid transport system. And believe it or not, it was the first of its kind in sub-Saharan Africa. As of 2011, some 200,000 commuters in Lagos are using it. The fares have decreased by 30 per cent on the average, despite 100 per cent increase in fuel cost. Commuters have reduced their transport time by 40 per cent. The amazing thing is that it works very well but the more amazing thing is that it is the first of its kind in sub-Saharan Africa,” Kim said.

     

  • Ajimobi inaugurates free transport scheme

    Ajimobi inaugurates free transport scheme

    Oyo State Governor Abiola Ajimobi yesterday inaugurated 10 43-seater buses that would convey civil servants and pupils to and from their offices and schools free-of-charge.

    The ceremony was held at the State Secretariat in Ibadan, the state capital.

    Ajimobi said his administration would continue to make life better for the people.

    He said the 10 buses, tagged “Ajumose Shuttle”, were part of the 100 buses and 100 mini-buses meant for the state’s transport scheme.

    The governor said: “As we have said to our people several times, the power we sought, which the Almighty God bestowed on us through the electorate, is the power to do good to our people.

    “We thank God that in the last 21 months, we have used the instrumentality of the people’s power to wipe away their tears. The Ajumose Shuttle will lessen the commuting burden of workers and pupils.

    “We reckon that if we provide free transportation for workers and pupils in the morning and evening, we would have significantly lessened their transportation burden.

    “This is the first of schemes that will ease transportation, not only in Ibadan, but also in Oyo, Ogbomoso, Saki and Iseyin. We shall soon introduce other measures that will integrate public transportation into the on-going urban renewal project.”

    Ajimobi said civil servants are the engine room of whatever development is envisaged in the state.

    He said: “This is why we are passionate about making life meaningful for our workers. A civil servant, who is well-catered for and whose existential burdens have been largely taken off by the government, will be useful as a tool for achieving the government’s developmental objective.”

    Explaining that his administration has done more for workers than any previous administration, Ajimobi said about 13,000 workers had been trained and 12,211 teachers promoted.

    He said 1,714 civil servants were promoted last year and typists were trained as Secretarial Assistants and Data Processing Assistants.

    The governor said his administration has reviewed the housing loan for workers by 100 per cent.

    He said: “For the second time in the less than two years of our administration, we have paid the 13th month salary to workers and the prompt payment of civil servants’ salary has become our policy.

    “We are yearning to do more. We hope and pray that by the time we leave office, we would have made it difficult for any in-coming administration to lower the standards we have set.”

    Speaking on behalf of the workers, the State Chairman of the Joint Negotiating Council (JNC), Mr. Nurudeen Arowolo, thanked the administration for its worker-friendly initiatives.

     

     

  • Tanke as metaphor for transport snag in UNILORIN

    Tanke as metaphor for transport snag in UNILORIN

    Tanke is one of the busiest areas in Ilorin, capital of Kwara State. Given its proximity to the permanent site of the University of Ilorin (UNILORIN), the area is mostly inhabited by students. In fact, it is safe to say that majority of UNILORIN students live in the city due to the inadequate hostel accommodation on the campus.

    Over the years, the name of the town has had its mention in the lexis structure of the university. Students attribute many things to Tanke, depending on the context it is being used.

    Face Tanke, for instance, is a parlance used to describe an expulsion from the university. It is a belief in UNILORIN that expulsion is a trajectory that thrusts an expelled student to the city before he or she gets home. But this is just an example of how the name of the town is used.

    However, with many students living in the town, transportation is a major problem to and from the campus. To mitigate the challenge, many of the students living in off-campus hostels resort to Tanke sir. The phrase is used to signal to owners of private vehicles leaving the campus to convey stranded students from school to Tanke free of charge.

    This has been in existence for a while, at least for about seven years after the management of the university moved all programmes, with the exception of medical courses, from the mini campus to the main campus. This practice has become part of the campus life in UNILORIN.

    Every day, after lecture hours, students gather at the roundabout opposite to the main auditorium, pleading to motorists with shout of Tanke sir. The reason why students resort to such act is because of the transportation challenge.

    In evenings, starting from 4pm till around 8pm, UNILORIN park is always congested because that is range of time when most students end lectures. The long queues and the chaotic situation at the park make students and staff to seek alternative at the school roundabout.

    Students, who follow the queue, always stay for long. Eventually, when they get home, they would have been exhausted and retire to bed without doing revision of what is taught in the class. They wake up the following, experience the same exercise the next day. As a result, the academic performance of students declines.

    Whereas, if, perhaps, the university has more hostels to accommodate majority of its students or provide more buses to mitigate the challenge of transportation, the long queues and the attendant stress would have reduced drastically. But for now, the two options do not exist.

    According to Wikipedia information about UNILORIN, which this writer accessed on December 6, 2012, the university currently has about 20,084 students and 3,040 staffs excluding the number of visitors and vendors. With such population, the university provided less than 10 Marco Polo buses to convey people out of the school. Per trip, the buses can only ferry 120 passengers even when they carry beyond their capacities.

    In its own way to find lasting solution to the problem, the Students’ Union Government (SUG) introduced mini buses, called korope on campus, which can only convey 10 passengers per a trip. This effort has made no difference.

    The commercial cab operators are not helping the matters. They are feasting on the situation by hiking the fare depending on bus stop.

    Students that are living in Challenge and Post Office area expend N1,000 on transportation per week. Let us imagine a student, who is given N5,000 per month by his parents. Of course, the money will cover transportation and food. But in a week, the student spends 20 per cent of the money on transport alone. He will eat, buy recharge card and other items he needs in his hostel.

    But in less than 30 days, the money finishes. How can such student not resort to Tanke sir? At least, he is assured that once he gets to Tanke, he only has to pay N50 or N60 to get to Challenge. For such student, this makes his campus life easier.

    This however, does not go to say that the efforts of the school authorities have gone unnoticed. On the issue of fare, the university reduced the price of the school buses, which makes students to pay N20 to Tanke area, N80 to Challenge-Post Office axis and N40 in korope to Tanke.

    Recently, another batch of mini buses was made available to students. These efforts are most appreciated. However, more work needs to be done, as sometimes, students get exploited by commercial cab operators. The management and the union should engage the commercial cab drivers to lower the fares to places like Challenge and Post Office.

    Lastly, let the management make more buses and mini buses available and increase the number of Marco Polo buses to transport more students. This will enormously alleviate the pains students go through every day at the school park and probably cure the Tanke sir syndrome, which many have said is incurable.

  • LASU Transport students gain international exposure

    The 20 pioneer students of School of Transport, Lagos State University (LASU), Ojo, will remain grateful to the state government for sponsoring them for a one-week international excursion in the United Kingdom.

    As included in their curriculum that the students must visit Europe before the end of their programme. The students were taken to different transport control rooms in the state.

    At the end of the tour, they were given opportunities to return to the UK to work after their programmes.

    The students who spoke to The Nation through the association’s president, Master Aniebue Edwin Ekene, said the experience was different from what obtains in the classroom.

    His words: “I say a big thank you to the Lagos State government. We learnt a lot apart from what we leant in the class room. We started with a training delivered by the National Training Institute (United Kingdom); we had interactions with transport experts, entrepreneurs who told us what they do. We had comparisons with what we have here in Nigeria. They have a higher carriage capacity than we do here.”

    The association presented a thank you card to the university.

    The Vice-Chancellor, Prof John Oladapo Fafunwa said the knowledge acquire will bring about a better transport system.

    His words: “I know they have experienced a lot and gained so many things. It wasn’t for fun but to improve the situation at home, transforming the mega city.

    “The transport over there is unique. No police to collect bribe and all your data can be assessed. Occasionally you come under bad roads but construction is always going on. They are always working on their roads. The Lagos-Ibadan expressway has become a nightmare. We have transportation problem in this nation but with the graduate of school of transform, things will move forward”

    He urged the students to reciprocate the kind gesture.

    “Let us reciprocate whatever the state government is doing for us, you help the state by moving the transport system forward,” he said.

    Obafunwa commended the Lagos State government for the support rendered to the students.

    Acting Dean, School of Transport, Dr Bawa Allah said Lagos State holds the answer to the transportation problem of the country.

    His words: “The school started in 2008 with 20 students. In the curriculum, it provides that the students should visit an international state to see how their transport system works. They have all been given leadership position abroad by 2013”

    “My intention for these ones as the first set of the college is to see them attaining the peak of their career and come back to the institution to lecture. The future of this nation belongs to Lagos State as far as transport is concern.”

    He urged other universities to come and see the realities of transport witnessed in United Kingdom.

    The Team Leader to United Kingdom, Prof. Sena Bakre shared their experience.

    “We embarked on the journey on September 29, taking 11 male students and nine females. It wasn’t a fun, it was a working week. We learnt so many things about their transport system. We majorly concentrated on sea and road transportation. Everything is controlled by computer. There was stable source of electricity. For us to come to that level, many things needs to be done, one of which is stable power supply. The citizens are law abiding,” she said.

    She expressed satisfaction on how the students comported themselves during the trip, and commended the university for making the students the evangelists of the institution.