Bayelsa State Governor, Douye Diri, has taken a significant step to alleviate the suffering of commuters following the removal of fuel subsidy by the Federal Government. He released 100 cabs and six luxury buses in an initiative aimed at providing efficient transportation within the state.
The fleet of vehicles was inaugurated at the DSP Alamieyeseigha Banquet Hall premises on July 19. Governor Diri, acknowledging the hardship faced by Bayelsans due to the fuel subsidy removal, stated that the restriction on commercial tricycles at night is still in force, but taxis and buses can effectively replace them.
Highlighting his government’s efforts in enhancing transportation, Governor Diri emphasized that the completion and inauguration of the Bayelsa State Transport Terminal, started by his predecessor, will be made functional with the launch of the transport scheme.
“This is another historic day as we launch this fleet of transport vehicles to alleviate the suffering of our people. For those who have been crying over the ban on commercial tricycles at night, this is an effective replacement. The ban is, however, still in force. Now, we have taxis that will run within the city of Yenagoa and environs to the Niger Delta University at Amassoma, to the airport, the Federal University, Otuoke, and other towns,” Governor Diri said.
He called on the youth in the state to take full advantage of the initiative and projected that over 100 youths would be engaged as drivers in the intra-state and intra-city transport scheme. The governor assured the citizens that his government is dedicated to their welfare and encouraged them to support the transport scheme.
During the handover of the keys of the vehicles to the general manager of the Bayelsa State Transport Company (BSTC), Timi Fanama, Governor Diri expressed his belief that the new arrangement would be more effective than previous government’s transport initiatives. He urged the management to make good use of the vehicles to enhance the transport system.
Fanama, in response, called on the youths to seize the opportunity and consider driving as a career. The release of the vehicles is expected to ease transportation challenges and enhance the daily lives of Bayelsans.
