Palliatives: Governor Alia Delivers 100 Buses to Benue State Transport Company
Aloysius Umalo, Makurdi.
The Benue State Governor Hyacinth Alia has formally handed over to the State Transport Company, Benue Links Nigeria Limited, a fleet of 100 buses as part of palliative measures to cushion the effect of the fuel subsidy removal on citizens of the state.
The 100 units of 14-seater Toyota Hummer buses were purchased as part of the state government’s plans to ease transportation challenges for travelers.
Delivering the buses to the management of the company, Governor Hyacinth Alia expressed optimism that the buses would not only boost the economy of the state but also open a new vista of hope for a more prosperous and better Benue State.
“It is a proud moment for me to engage in this brief ceremony of officially handing over 100 buses to Benue Links.
“It is our hope and expectation that more routes would be opened and fares dropped for interested passengers,” Governor Alia said.
A Promise Kept
He explained that the delivery of the buses was in fulfilment of his earlier promise to the people of Benue State to provide vehicles that would move passengers and their goods at cheaper rates.
“I am happy to note here that even before the arrival and hand over of these buses, the Management of Benue Links had been proactive by identifying and opening new routes to reach more towns and villages across the state. This is a commendable step,” he remarked.
Underscoring the importance of transportation as a necessity in contemporary life, Governor Alia expressed the desire that farmers, market men and women, civil servants and indeed all Benue State residents would have better traveling experiences with the provision of the new buses.
He appealed to the Management of Benue Links Company to ensure that
only qualified and professional drivers – dedicated to duty – are allowed to operate the vehicles.
“There should be very strict monitoring of their activities with a view to checking arbitrary hike in fares, overloading and possible disregard for traffic rules and regulations,” the governor added.
Governor Alia commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for introducing the bouquet of palliatives to states to address the peculiar needs of their people, promising that the Benue State Government would provide more vehicles as soon as the federal government’s Compressed Natural Gas (CNG)-powered buses were rolled out for use.
“We are also eagerly awaiting the federal government’s Compressed Natural Gas-powered buses to boost our efforts,” he disclosed.
In their separate remarks, the State Deputy Governor Sam Ode; the Commissioner for Power and Transport, Barr. Oga Mathew Omale; and the acting General Manager of Benue Links Company, Mr. Alexander Faanafa, all commended the governor for the initiative.
