Palliatives: Sanwo-Olu Discounts Transport Fares

Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has  rolled out palliatives to cushion the effects of fuel subsidy removal, saying the state government from Wednesday , August 2, there would be a 50 percent discount on transport fare of all state controlled vehicles.

Governor Sanwo-Olu who disclosed this when he briefed journalists after the state’s Security Council meeting also said the state government had made arrangements with various unions of commercial transporters for a 25 percent discount as well.

He said the initiative was part of palliatives for Lagosians in the spirit of the season based on the hardship people were passing through, saying that people would begin to enjoy reduction of the new fares from Wednesday across the state.

The governor said more buses will be deployed to convey civil servants from their various offices to their residents, while the remaining will be added to the fleet of public transportation to aid the movement of residents.

As part of immediate intervention, the governor said discussion has been concluded with stakeholders to make foodstuffs, like rice, beans, gari, available to the vulnerable through civil society organisations, community development associations, local government areas, traditional and religious leaders, among others.

He said: “We have had meetings with stakeholders in our transport sectors and as from Wednesday reduce transport fare by 50 per cent on all its controlled vehicles owned by LAMATA.  For the informal sector, the yellow buses, there will be a meeting later today and they are proposing a 25 per cent reduction in their bus fare by tomorrow or Wednesday.

“We have also concluded discussion with stakeholders on foodstuffs to be released to the vulnerable in the society through the local government, churches and mosques to cushion the effect of the hardship.

This will continue until we see the result of these interventions.”

Governor Sanwo-Olu urged Lagosians to be law abiding as they go about their affairs in the state, adding that in the next 30 days, vehicles and security gadgets will be provided to law enforcement officers in the state to improve security.

Also at the briefing commissioner of Police in Lagos State, Idowu Owohunwa said so far 260 suspects have been recently arrested on issues relating to cultism and traffic robbery, urging citizens to go about their normal duties.