The Governor of Bayelsa State, Douye Diri, has launched the state’s new transport scheme with 100 cabs and six luxury buses to ease the movement difficulties being suffered by commuters in the state.
This was as he reiterated the government’s restriction on night operation by commercial tricycles within the Yenagoa metropolis.
The unveiling of the transport scheme came on the heels of complaints by residents who criticised the administration for banning commercial tricycle operations from 7pm to 6am around Yenagoa environs since April 20, after a violent clash between Yenizue-Epie community youths and Keke (tricycle) riders resulted in the loss of lives.
The government’s decision had forced many to trek long distances to their destinations during the restricted hours, even as the transport problem in the state capital was escalated by the Federal Government’s removal of fuel subsidy in May.
Speaking at the ceremony at the DSP Alamieyeseigha Memorial Banquet Hall premises, Diri said the taxis and buses were his administration’s initiative to alleviate the suffering of commuters in the state following the removal of the petrol subsidy.
He noted that residents were experiencing hardship because of the Federal Government’s fuel subsidy removal policy and expressed confidence that the scheme would serve as a palliative to boost the transportation sector.
The governor, who test-drove some of the vehicles ceremonially, reaffirmed that the restriction on commercial tricycles at night was still in force and that taxis and buses were an effective replacement.
He said his administration had completed and inaugurated the Bayelsa State Transport Terminal started by his predecessor, stressing that the launch of the transport scheme would make the terminal functional.
Diri said, “This is another historic day as we launch this fleet of transport vehicles to alleviate the suffering of our people. For those who have been crying over the ban on commercial tricycles at night, this is an effective replacement. The ban is, however, still in force.
“Now we have taxis that will run within the city of Yenagoa and environs to the Niger Delta University at Amassoma, the airport, the Federal University, Otuoke, and other towns.”
