Bauchi State Governor, Sen Bala Mohammed Abdulkadir, has reiterated that the fuel subsidy regime in the country, when it lasted, was nothing but a scam used to defraud Nigerians.
The Governor, therefore, threw his weight behind the total removal of the subsidy, assuring that it is the best thing to have happened to Nigeria and Nigerians because, according to him, “the end will definitely justify the means.”
The Governor was speaking on Tuesday when he flagged off the usage of 30 Hiace Buses procured to increase the fleet of the State-owned Bauchi State Transport Corporation, popularly called Yankari Express.
He said, “The subsidy was a fraud. It is not something we can play politics with. It is not beneficial to the local people of the country; that was the reason we supported the initiative irrespective of the fact that we are in the opposition.”
He added that it is an excellent initiative, and we can see that the new Government is starting with the need to give all justice and equity, he is carrying all of us along together, and we are going with him so far, so good. We will support him, as I said, so long as it is for the benefit of the people.
Bala Mohammed said that “I want to commend the Federal Government under the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for calling all the Governors to Abuja I, as your representative, was there, and we all agreed that the palliation will reach the people down to the local level.”
He assured that very soon, there will be big buses that will convey civil servants from their houses to the offices and back home and students from all corners to their various schools and back home daily.
The Governor expressed optimism that with the additional new buses, Yankari Express will be able to expand its routes locally and nationwide, stressing that it is a service to humanity assisted by the government.
Bala Mohammed expressed his happiness with the massive support his administration receives from the people of the state led by the traditional rulers assuring that he will not disappoint them.
He said that the State Government is to procure grains and essential commodities for distribution to citizens as part of measures to cushion the hardship occasioned by the recent fuel subsidy removal.
Similarly, the Governor added that plans are underway by the State Government to provide several public transports, including tricycles and commercial motorcycles, to create job opportunities and address transportation challenges.
Bala Mohammed, who is a member of the Presidential Parliativive Distribution Committee, acknowledged that citizens across the country are experiencing difficulties hence the move to partner with an indigenous firm in procuring the buses at the sum of four hundred and eighty million nairas with an agreement of refunding twenty million nairas on monthly basis.
Bala Mohammed also said the move was to create job opportunities and reduce the cost of inter-state transportation, which is not affordable by the common citizens.
He used the opportunity to commend the effort of the federal government to commence total reconstruction of Bauchi-Gombe Road to ensure the safety of commuters.
Also speaking, the Permanent Secretary Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Alhaji Aliyu Sulaiman, applauded the state government for investing in critical sectors of the economy and called for proper utilization of the buses provided.
The General Manager of Yankari Express commended the government for supporting the company in procuring the vehicles, which he said will go a long way in complementing the company’s services.
Some of the commuters who described the gesture as commendable emphasized the need to use the vehicles for the purpose they were meant for.