The presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in the 2023 election, Peter Obi, has hailed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the 50 percent reduction in the prices of interstate transportation fares.

Obi reacting to the development on Friday said on X that the move from the Tinubu-led Federal Government to help the masses is a step in the right direction.

“I read the reports of the President’s approval of a 50 per cent slash in the price of interstate transport fare for Nigerians travelling during this Yuletide from Thursday 21, 2023 to January 4, 2024,” Obi said.

“The news reports added that the President also approved free rides for commuters on all train services within the period.

“If fully implemented, as reported, I consider this first-time intervention of the government, intended to help the masses, a step in the right direction.”

Obi, however, said that the major concern is about such emergency measures is what happens afterwards.

According to him, the high cost of transportation and associated hardships are all well known but the question this seasonal palliative raises is what happens after the festive season.

“Is there a sustainable policy measure to cushion the masses from the current high transportation costs? Even the current effort comes with operational challenges,” he said.

“Millions of people have already traveled bearing the brunt and huge costs of such travels. How will such people get their refunds or be compensated?”

Obi said following the government’s announcement of a 50% discount on interstate transport fare for Nigerians, he has taken time to inquire into the implementation mechanics across different cities but he has been disappointed.

The former Anambra state governor added that compassion on the part the government is a good thing.

He said it should, however, not be an avenue for exploiting the weak structures of government to encourage less than transparent policy implementation.
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