AS part of the Christmas celebration, Governor of Ebonyi State, Dave Umahi, has offered free transportation fare to indigenes of Ebonyi resident in Calabar.
The free transport programme, initiated by the office of Special Adviser to the Governor on Transportation Matters in collaboration with Peace Mass Transit, conveys Ebonyians wishing to go home for the Christmas from Calabar to Afikpo, Edda and Abakaliki towns.
Ten buses were made available to convey passengers from December 22 to December 24, 2016, while the same buses will bring them back on announced date.
Addressing Ebonyians at Peace Mass Transit Park located at Bedwell Street, Calabar South yesterday, the Liaison officer to the Governor on transportation, Hon Paul Ogar, said he came to Calabar to supervise the free transportation free exercise.
Ogar said the government came up with the idea to cushion the effect of recession especially on those travelling home for the Christmas festivities, adding that the three days exercise is between Thursday, December 22 and December 24, 2016.
He said, “We feel that at this recession period, lots of people may not travel home for the Yuletide because of high transportation. So, the government decided to provide free transportation to all indigenes across the 36 states of the federation.
“In Calabar, we have provided about 10 buses to take our people home to Afikpo, Edda, Onueke and Abakaliki. We are working with Peace Mass Transit and have been loading passengers since Thursday, December 22. We hope to bring them back on a date to be announced. The essence is to give succour to our people to come home and feel the impact of our administration.”
Commending the governor for his gesture, the President of Ebonyi Development Association, Cross River branch, Chief Boniface Onu, said, “This is the first time in the history of our association that state government is offering free transport to indigenes in Calabar travelling for the Christmas season.
“As am talking with you about eight buses have departed to Afikpo and Abakaliki and it started since Thursday and will end on December 24. We are very grateful and wish it will annual so as to alleviate the sufferings we face during this season. Now, we are proud to travel light and in an air conditioned buses.”
Also applauding the state government for the humanitarian gesture, the immediate past President of Ebonyi State Association, Calabar, and the incumbent President of Igbo Community in Cross River, Chief Albert Enya, said “The governor has surprised all of us this season because we never anticipated such gesture.
“He has truly shown he cares for his people leaving outside. With the buses those who hitherto wouldn’t have gone home have left. These are some of the little things that help and give us sense of belonging.”
One of the travellers, Mrs Ude Okorm, said “It is something I could not explain in my life as an Eboyian residing in Calabar. I can’t believe that Governor Umahi can remember his citizens leaving in Cross River. God will continue to bless him for thinking of how to put smiles on our faces at this critical season when people don’t even have food on the table.”