Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State, on Wednesday, announced a reduction in the transport fare of the Bus Rapid Transport (BRT) by 50 percent starting from Thursday, this week.
He made the announcement at a briefing held at Lagos House, Marina to announce some palliative measures by the state to cushion the effect of the fuel scarcity and cash shortages currently being experienced by Nigerians.
He said “The CBN currency exchange deadline has, no doubt, caused some dislocation. Lagos is Nigeria’s business and financial engine-room. So, we have recently felt the effects of this measure.
“Thankfully, the Supreme Court has made some pronouncements on this. I praise the Judiciary for its wise ruling on this matter. To further support Lagosians to weather these stormy days, I hereby announce the following measures
“A 50 percent cut in fares on all our BRT buses, LAGRIDE taxi-scheme, First Mile and Last Mile buses, and Lagos Ferry Services (LAGFERRY). This will take effect from tomorrow for the next seven days.We will push out more Cowrie Cards to enable more Lagosians get onboard our services.
“I have directed that food banks be set up in various parts of the State to cater for the vulnerable. We will distribute food stuff to various communities would like to thank our security agencies (the military, the Department of State Services, the Police, the Civil Defence and Neighbourhood Watch) for their service and diligence in these days.”
Sanwo-Olu also warned mischief makers who may see this as an opportunity to incite violence that this is not the way to go.
He urged every law-abiding citizen to go about their lawful business without fear.
On the fuel shortage ,the governor said the state government has held meetings with tank farm owners at Ijegun-Egba, where 40 percent of fuel distributed to other parts of the country are located, and agreed to suspend construction work going on the road for easy movement of fuel tankers.
Governor Sanwo-Olu further said agreements have also been reached with independent marketers and fuel stations across. the state to embark on 24hrs operation.
