By Bolanle Lawal
Ekiti State Government has directed all transport unions operating within the state to revert to the transport fares in force before December, with immediate effect.
The Commissioner for Transportation, Mr Kehinde Ajobiewe, gave the directive on Monday in Ado-Ekiti during a stakeholders’ meeting with leaders of various transport unions across the state.
Ajobiewe expressed concern over the recent hike in transport fares, describing the charges as exorbitant and burdensome to residents, especially during the yuletide season.
He noted that fares of ₦20,000 from Ado-Ekiti to Lagos and ₦12,000 from Ado-Ekiti to Ibadan were unacceptable.
According to him, transport fare from Ado-Ekiti to Ibadan should be reduced to between ₦5,000 and ₦6,000, while the Ado-Ekiti–Lagos route should return to the former rate of between ₦10,000 and ₦11,000.
The commissioner also frowned at the activities of some commercial motorcycle (Okada) operators who charge between ₦500 and ₦1,000 per drop, describing the practice as exploitative.
He consequently directed that Okada fares be pegged at ₦300 per drop within the state.
Responding, leaders of the various transport unions pledged full compliance with the directive and assured the government and residents of Ekiti State that transport fares would revert to the old rates with immediate effect.
They also assured that transportation would not be made difficult for residents before, during and after the Christmas and New Year celebrations, in the spirit of peace and cooperation.
Those present at the meeting included the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Transportation, Mr Bayo Abulola; Chief Akinola Talabi of the Tricycle Operators’ Union; Mr Akin Falaye Enikakolaye, Deputy Chairman, RTEAN; Mr Kehinde Afolabi, Chairman, NACT; Mr Akinluyi Kayode, Secretary, NURTW; and Mr Adelegan Olowuro, Secretary of the Okada Riders Association, among others.
