Presidency Speaks On Waivers On Air Travels For Nigerians

Presidency Speaks On Waivers On Air Travels For Nigerians

The Nigerian Presidency has provided clarification on the exclusion of air travel from the approved waivers during the yuletide season.

Earlier reports indicated that President Bola Tinubu had endorsed a 50 percent reduction in inter-state transport fares for Nigerians traveling from December 21, 2023, to January 4, 2024, and also approved free train services for commuters during this period.

Read Also [BREAKING] Transport Waiver: FG Lists Participating Companies, Routes (FULL LIST)

The Minister of Solid Minerals Development and Chairman of the Inter-Ministerial Committee on Presidential Intervention, Dele Alake, communicated this announcement to State House Correspondents at the Aso Villa on Wednesday. He clarified that air travel was not included in the initiative because it is considered a luxury.

According to Alake, the presidential initiative is specifically targeted at the masses who may face financial constraints due to the high cost of inter-state transportation, especially in light of the economic challenges affecting the country.

Read Also Obasanjo Reacts As Former Nigerian Governor Dies

Alake said: “The initiative is for the masses. Air is luxury. The masses don’t use air transport. So they are our main target.”

Nevertheless, he emphasized that the federal government, in partnership with the Ministry of Transportation, will orchestrate a joint effort with transporters, road transport unions, and the Nigerian Railway Corporation to ensure the effective execution of this unique presidential initiative.

The Minister of Transportation clarified that the intervention is specifically tailored to address luxury buses operating on 22 designated routes during this period.

“In the spirit of Christmas and end-of-the-year festivities, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in another demonstration of his love for Nigerians has approved that the federal government should intervene to bring down the cost of public transportation to allow our compatriots who want to travel to visit their loved ones and hometown to do so without stress and extra burden posed by high-cost transport around this period.

“President Tinubu wants Nigerians to be able to travel within Nigeria to wherever they want to go to meet their loved ones without the extra burden of paying exorbitantly for interstate public transportation.

“It is in this wise that the President is announcing through us that beginning from tomorrow, December 21, Nigerians willing to travel can board public transport via mini buses, luxury buses at 50 per cent discount of current cost and all our train services on the route the trains currently serve at zero cost to and fro for their travels this holiday season.

“This special presidential intervention will commence tomorrow, Thursday, December 21 and it will end on January 4, 2024.”

“The Federal Government, through the Ministry of Transportation, will be working with transporters, road transport unions, the Nigerian Railway Corporation to seamlessly deliver on this special presidential initiative,” he added.

Never Miss Any News, Join Our WhatsApp Group With This Link Below

https://chat.whatsapp.com/DdBOorlQD6wE9BhmOAon3c