The Federal Government on Wednesday announced the approval of the N10billion lifeline for transport workers and operators in the country.
Minister of State for Transportation, Gbemisola Saraki, who announced the fund, said it would help operators and workers in the transport sector cushion the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the sector.
Saraki announced this during a courtesy visit by the President of Public Transport Owners of Nigeria Association (PTONA), Engr. Isaac Uhunwagho, and the association’s National Executive Committee and Trustees in Abuja.
She announced that the fund is currently domiciled within the Federal Ministry of Trade, Industry, and Investment, but explained that her ministry was working out the modalities for its disbursement.
The Minister disclosed this during a courtesy visit by the President of Public Transport Owners of Nigeria Association (PTONA), Engr. Isaac Uhunwagho, and the association’s National Executive Committee and Trustees in Abuja.
The minister’s announcement was in response to Engr. Uhunwagho’s plea for COVID-19 financial palliatives for his members to prevent their businesses from folding up.
He explained that members of the association were the worst hit during the lockdown introduced by the federal government.
He said that members of the association felt the impact of the lockdown the most as their branded buses could not operate due to the ban on interstate travel.
Eric Ojiekwe, Director of the Press in the ministry, disclosed this in a statement signed by him.
Saraki noted that 90 percent of Nigerians travel by road, and disclosed that the federal government would soon launch a master plan that will reform the sector.
Saraki announced that the talks were ongoing between her and the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing on the concessioning of some routes with the aim of increasing the government’s revenue.
