Nigerians desire food security, not free transportation – Comrade Prince Saviour Iche tells FG.
…..Transporters do not abide by President Tinubu’s directive for free transport during festivities.
…..says those around president Tinubu should give him the appropriate information.
By Onome Naomi
Information circulating in the internet space states that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved free transportation for Nigerians ahead of Christmas and New Year; meanwhile, the announcement is affirmed, but transporters do not abide by the directives on the grounds that fuel prices remain the same and Pres. Tinubu will not directly cater to their families. The directives only concern state-owned transport services, not commercial transportation owned by individuals.
Speaking about the free transportation approved by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to Nigerians during this festive period, Comrade Saviour Iche, a human rights advocate said in 2023 Tinubu’s government reduced transportation to about 50% as announced. During the course of the investigation, it was revealed that most of the transporters did not abide by the directive for some other reasons as aforementioned. With this 2024 declaration, only BRT buses and other Lagos state-owned transport will abide by these directives, but 80% of Nigerians who go out by means of public transport do so using the commercial buses and tricycles. Whatever the president has made a declaration for only suits a minimal number of Nigerians, hence has no positive effect on the populace.
Following this report, Comrade Prince Saviour Iche is advocating for Nigerians by tasking the president and his subordinates on ways to relieve Nigerians from the untold hardship of food insecurity, which stems from a hike in prices of food commodities (deterring sustainability for average families), high transportation costs due to an increase in PMS, lack of reliable electricity, a bad road network, lack of basic infrastructure that could generate a passive income, and other factors.
More so, Tinubu’s subordinates do not give him the right information on situations arising from directives given. Putting the needs of the masses foremost and seeing it to completion is essential in enhancing the prowess of an administration. An administration should think outside the box and carry out surveys on what areas will bring relief to the masses before giving a directive. As far as the needs of the masses are concerned, free transportation for a few Nigerians is inconsequential. Why not enforce a reduced uniform price for food items? We only see in the news that the cost of rice in bags has been slashed, but in reality we buy a bag for over 100,000 naira; the price increases, Iche added.
Iche further said,
“I want to notify this present administration that the problems Nigerians are facing now are not just transportation. Nigerians need more than that. People can’t even travel for Christmas, and if there was a free ride, what are people going to spend once they get to their destination? Nigerians demand more than transportation as people are hungry, with some finding it hard to eat one square meal a day.”
“It is expected that the government slash down food prices, enforce maintaining a uniform price, and put the economy in shape.”
” As the voice of the voiceless, the harp on people’s lips is hardship, hunger, and insecurity. With these, transportation should not be the only help from the government, as it is beneficial to a few. With the suffering people had to face in this administration, the government should bring a reduced amount of foodstuffs during this festive period and make it available for the masses. People will be happy to eat and stay at home rather than traveling.”
“Nigerians cannot afford to buy foodstuff; they can’t even go to the market to get things for their survival. Food security should be the focus of the government rather than free transportation. It is expected of Pres. Tinubu’s advisers to give the president an accurate account of the needs of Nigerians; untold hardship is plaguing the country.”
