Zulum provides free bus rides, N4.8m to Borno non-indigenes, widows

Governor Babagana Zulum of Borno State has flagged off free bus rides to enable non-indigenes to travel home to celebrate Christmas and New Year in various parts of the country.

According to him, the 710 travellers’ free rides will cushion the economic hardships caused by the federal government’s recent removal of the fuel subsidy.

Zulum, represented by the General Manager of Borno Express Transport Corporation, Grema Zanna, yesterday (Monday) in Maiduguri, disclosed: ‘‘Our free transportation initiative will facilitate the travelling of the non-indigenes to their respective destinations in the North-Central, Southeast, Southwest, and South-South regions.”

He stated that the end-of-year free bus rides are part of his programme to alleviate the high transportation costs in various parts of the country.

The transportation initiative, introduced in 2020 by the Zulum administration, also aims to mitigate the high cost of living among society’s less privileged, particularly vulnerable groups, including widows.

“The state government ensures that the non-indigenes celebrate the festive season with their loved ones,” reiterated the GM.

In a breakdown of the travel schedules, he said the first batch of 285 persons is travelling to various parts of the country, while the second batch comprising 285 passengers travelled on Sunday.

The remaining 140 non-indigenes, he added, are departing Maiduguri, the state capital, today (Monday) to their respective destinations in the four regions.

Chairman of the Ohaneze All Progressives Congress (APC) Support Group, Chief Ugochukwu Egwidike, said each of the travellers received N50,000 before departing to their destinations.

Additionally, he added that the 250 widows who did not travel will each be given N50,000 to celebrate Christmas in the state.

The Chairman continued: “Governor Zulum has made significant strides in providing succour to the needy with various initiatives,” noting that the initiatives are alleviating poverty and promoting social welfare, including the subsidisation of inter- and intra-state transport fares.

He added that the Zulum administration has been sponsoring Christians for the Jerusalem pilgrimage for the past five years.

“The governor also provided emergency aid and resources to the non-indigenes affected by the recent floods,” he said, stressing his commitment to responding to crises and the well-being of residents.

The Oba of Yorubas in the state, Hassan Alao Yusuf, who witnessed the flagging-off ceremony, appreciated Zulum for the gesture, stating: “The free transport scheme to the non-indigenes has depicted the detribalised nature of the governor.”

He noted that many of the travellers wouldn’t have made the journey home to celebrate with their loved ones if not for the free transport scheme.

A trustee of the Igbo Welfare Association/Ohanaeze Ndigbo in the state, Napoleon Egbonu, noted that the free bus rides for non-indigenes are a unifying factor that should be emulated by other governors.

He said that the annual transportation scheme has ensured trust and unity among the various ethnic groups in the country.

“We’ve been contributing to the economic development of the state,” he said.