Borno State Governor, Babagana Zulum has empowered 2, 200 youths with the distribution of tricycles, taxi cabs and buses in Maiduguri metropolis and Jere council.
The distributed vehicles include 500 tricycles, 100 taxi cabs and 10 units of 41-seater buses to drivers and tri-cyclists in the state.
Flagging off the 610 vehicles, yesterday (Thursday), at Ramat Square, Maiduguri, he disclosed that they are sold at 50 percent subsidy by the State Government.
“This is an auspicious event for the distribution of vehicles to the unemployed youths,” he said, stating that four tri-cyclists be attached to a tricycle, while two drivers will operated each of the 100 taxi cabs simultaneously.
Besides, he added that the vehicles distribution project, has become necessary; as it will improve people’s lives, after over a decade Boko Haram terrorism.
He said the addition of eight buses on the roads, could overcome the challenges of transportation difficulties, but create more jobs for the unemployed youths.
He warned the drivers against abuse of distributed vehicles, as a monitoring mechanism has been set up by the Ministry of Transport.
“N50 million will be disbursed to 1,000 tricycle operators, who have not been captured in the distribution of vehicles,” he added.
He noted that the distribution of vehicles are to ease transportation within and outside the state.
According to him, the addition of eight more vehicles on the roads; could not only overcome challenges of transportation, but create more jobs for the youths.
He further disclosed that over N2 billion industrial marching grants were disbursed to boost traders’ business activities.
He said that to ease transportation, government has also built 130 kilometres of roads; as part of the recovery drive.
He added that N50 million will also be disbursed to 1,000 tricycle operators; as they have not benefitted from the taxi cabs and tricycles.”
He warned the drivers and tri-cyclists against abuse of distributed vehicles; as a monitoring mechanism has been set up.
While briefing the Governor, the Commissioner of Transport, Bukar Tijjani said that 80 buses were launched last year to ease transportation problems within and outside the state.
He said that the Borno State Traffic Management Agency (BOTMA) has been established to overcome challenges of traffic regulations and compliance.
According to him, the 300 employees of agency could minimize the level of traffic offences for smooth commuting.
By Mohammed Farouk
