COVID-19: FG Approves N10bn Palliative Funds For Transport Operators

Sen. Gbemisola Saraki, the Minister of State for Transportation, has disclosed that the Federal Government has approved a ₦10 billion survival fund for transport workers and operators in order to sustain operations amidst the ravaging Covid-19 pandemic.

The Minister made this known when the President, Public Transport Owners of Nigeria Association (PTONA), Engr. Isaac Uhunwagho, led the association’s National Executive Committee and Trustees to pay her a courtesy call in Abuja recently.

The Minister informed the delegation that the funds which will help cushion the sufferings encountered by road transport workers and operators as a result of COVID-19 pandemic is domiciled with the Federal Ministry of Trade, Industry and Investment adding that the Federal Ministry of Transportation has is currently working on the modalities for its disbursement.

While appreciating the fact that 90% of Nigerians travel by road, Sen. Saraki stated that the FG will soon initiate a master plan that will reform the sector, stressing that government requires the buy-in of all stakeholders.

Reacting to challenges operators face from State governments and other stakeholders, the Minister gave the assurance that she will discuss the issues through the National Transport Commissioners Forum.

The Minister disclosed that she is in talks with the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing on the concessionning of some routes which she thinks is the best way to go so as to increase government revenue.
She further, enjoined them to avoid duplicity and formalize their structures in an organized manner for better engagements, with the ministry and other relevant agencies.

Anastasia Ogbonna, the Assistant Director, Press and Public Relations in the Ministry, in a statement, noted that Engr. Isaac Uhunwagho, the National President, Public Transport Owners of Nigeria Association (PTONA), led the delegation on the visit to the Minister of State for Transportation, Sen. Gbemisola Saraki.

According to statement, Uhunwagho stated that their visit was in respect of challenges being faced by the body and also to appreciate the efforts of the Minister of State towards the solving challenges PTONA has being facing since February, 2020 and the cooperation and protection which the Ministry is now ready to provide for public transportation in Nigeria.

The President said that with this, “our future in the ‘one chance’ business is now encouraging.

Also, Engr. Isaac pleaded for COVID-19 financial palliatives for her members to prevent their businesses from folding up.

The President, PTONA clarifying on the need for this disclosed that PTONA members felt the impact of the lockdown the most as their branded buses could not operate due to the ban on interstate travel.

The general motor parks he said did not comply with the ban as their parks became a safe haven for flouting the ban and as a result enjoyed black market transportation boom.