Kwara Gov’t Shuts Transport Coy, Pays Staff Exit Benefits

The Kwara State Government has announced a temporary closure of the state-owned Harmony Transport Services Ltd, popularly known as Kwara Express.

A statement from the Corporate Affairs Unit of the transport company on Thursday said the temporary closure signaled, “The beginning of a wholesome repositioning of the legacy firm for improved productivity, efficiency, and economic development.”

The statement reads: “The restructuring involves full payment of exit benefits to all the workers in the distressed company amid best wishes in their future endeavors, according to a statement by the Harmony Holdings Ltd, the body that manages all government businesses.

“The overhaul will modernise the company’s fleet and infrastructure, leveraging cutting-edge technology to enhance operational efficiency and customer service delivery,” it said.

The body said while the decision to pay off the workers was difficult, it is essential for establishing a sustainable operational framework for HTSL, which has faced challenges in maintaining consistent growth and has experienced multiple closures within the past years.

“Recent customer feedback has underscored the need for improvement, prompting this decisive action.

“The Harmony Holdings Ltd assures that all exit entitlements of the staff are currently being settled, while their contributions to the company are sincerely appreciated. Those staff members interested in rejoining the company after the overhaul will have the opportunity to reapply,” it stated.

“We acknowledge the inconvenience this temporary shutdown may cause to our valued customers and assure you that efforts are underway to minimize the duration of this service interruption,” it said.

The statement assured the public that all measures were being implemented to ensure a seamless transition during the crucial phase of the company’s evolution.