The Commissioner for Transport, Dr. Obi Ozor, says indigenes of Enugu state residing in other parts of Nigeria, who intend to return home to celebrate the festive season with their loved ones will enjoy free transportation.
Ozor who announced this during a news conference in Enugu, explained that the scheme was made easy by the approval of the Governor, Dr. Peter Mbah.
Represented by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Transport, Mr. Ikechukwu Nnamoko, the Commissioner said the ministry was working with Enugu State Transport Company (ENTRACO) and other transport companies to ensure that the indigenes arrived safely.
He said the Ministry of Transport Enugu in collaboration with ENTRACO during yuletide sponsore Christmas transportation bonanza for indigenes.
According to him, "for years now, it is known in this state that during Christmas time, the State usually sends buses to various states and capitals in Nigeria for free transportation for indigenes.
“You know the importance Igbos attached to Christmas. It is usually period of home coming. Communities and Families engage in development programmes where they discuss how to handle various programmes. And because of this, the state has always helped in encouraging our people to return home.
“Before now the movement was obviously not expensive. This year is somehow difficult because of increase in transportation cost as a result of the withdrawal of petrol subsidy.
From records, movement of people from Sokoto, Kano was basically around 15,000 Naira per head, but this year, our survey and information gathered, typically shows that it now costs nearly 40,000, 45,000 naira per one person to be moved from Kano to Enugu."
The Commissioner stated, “we have consulted with the community unions, Enugu State indigens association in Kano, Sokoto, Kaduna, Bauchi, Maiduguri and at the end, we will be obviously sending signals for them to commence the return.”
According to him,"hopefully by 21st, 22nd the government shall be receiving the batches that will benefit from this programme.
The first expected states and cities to benefit from this welfare package are: Bauchi, Illorin, Jos, Kaduna, Kano, Kebbi, Maiduguri, Minna, Nassarawa, Oyo, Sokoto, Taraba, Zamfara, Bayelsa, Benue, Adamawa, Jigawa, and Rivers.
_By Odo Hyginus_
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