In what appears to be a copy of the model of Osun state, the Federal Government has announced free train rides across the nation during Christmas and New Year that will begin from December 21, 2023 to January 4, 2024.
The Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dele Alake, disclosed this on Wednesday while briefing State House correspondents at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
He added that the federal government will bear 50 per cent of the transport fares for interstate road travellers across the country during Yuletide.
He said that all the logistics on the implementation have been worked out between the Minister of Transportation and the transport unions and luxurious buses owners.
The Osun Free Train Model
Osun Defender recalls that the free train rides program was started by Ogbeni Rauf Aregebesola in 2011 during his tenure as the governor of Osun State.
The Aregbesola’s administration said the free train ride was to facilitate the easy movement during all festivities, covering Easter, Christmas, New Year and the two Islamic Eids for indigenes of the state who wished to travel home.
However, the free train was aborted during the administration of Alhaji Adegboyega Oyetola when he ruled the state.
But, the current governor of the State, Senator Ademola Adeleke continuedbwith the free train ride for indigenes of Osun from Lagos to Osogbo, the state capital during festive seasons started by one of his predecessors, Aregebesola.
Tinubu’s Administration
In a statement on Wednesday on behalf of the Tinubu led administration, Dele Alake said, “It is in this wise that the Federal Government is announcing, beginning from tomorrow, a special discounted holiday season fare on road transport and zero-fare by rail across Nigeria.”
According to the statement, “In the spirit of Christmas and demonstration of his love for Nigerians as proof, he feels the federal government should intervene to bring down the costs of public transportation to allow persons who want to travel to visit their loved ones.
“It is in this wise that the Federal Government is announcing, beginning from tomorrow, a special discounted holiday season fare on road transport and zero-fare by rail across Nigeria.
“What this means is that from tomorrow, Nigerians willing to travel can board public transport via minibuses, luxury buses at a 50% discount of current cost and all our train services on the routes the trains currently serve at zero cost to and fro on their travels this holiday season.
“This special presidential intervention will commence tomorrow Thursday, December 21. It will end on January 4, 2024.
“The Federal Government through the Ministry of Transportation will be working with transporters, road transport unions, and Nigerian Railway Corporation to seamlessly deliver on this special presidential initiative.
“From tomorrow, Nigerians wishing to embark on inter-state travel to any part of the country from Abuja, Lagos, Kano, Kaduna, Enugu, Port Harcourt, Owerri, Ibadan, Akure, Maiduguri, Sokoto and other major inter-state transportation hubs will be able to do so at half the cost.”
Sodiq Lawal is a passionate and dedicated journalist with a knack for uncovering captivating stories in the bustling metropolis of Osun State and Nigeria at large. He has a versatile reporting style, covering a wide range of topics, from politics , campus, and social issues to arts and culture, seeking impact in all facets of the society.
