….Pledges to reciprocate his good gesture by reducing transport fare transport fare.
Emmanuel lkpeama
Following the call by the Member Representing Isiala Mbano State Constituency for members of National Union Of Road Transport lmo State Chapter to reduce transport fares inorder for traders to reduce prices of commodities in the lmo state,has continued to receive massive commendation from within the state and beyond.
To this end, the Executives of lmo state chapter of National Union Of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) paid a courtesy visit to the Member Representing lsiala Mbano State Constituency,Hon Sam Osuji to commend him for taking the bold step and patriotic move to call for the reduction of transport fares.
The State Chairman of NURTW, Comrade Sam Ude in his speech, described the Lawmaker as a “Voice”, stating that the Lawmaker is the first and only House Committee Chairman on Transport in the history of lmo State House of Assembly who has ever made such call.
Comrade Ude, went further to pledge the union in the state would continue to work closely with the state government, through the transport sector so as to ensure that the economy of the state becomes better and stronger, while appreciating the Governor for taking steps to make the business environment more friendly, easier and safer for transporters.
” Our Governor is NURTW friendly. He has solved the major challenges facing transporters in the state, having fixed all the major roads, thereby saving cost for transporters, and indeed, lives. Road accidents have reduced considerably. We have noted your request and will respond more practically. In two weeks time, the NURTW will organize a statewide workshop to sensitize all our members in the 27 LGAs. It is our turn to reciprocate the good gestures of His Excellency,all the Executives of NURTW in the state, including the three zonal Executives are in this meeting “.he stated.
The NURTW boss also lauded the collaborative efforts between the State Government and the Private sector in advancing geometric economic growth in the state, including sometimes providing free fuel for transporters.
However, he complained of the high cost of fuel, which stands at between N700 and N720 per litre, describing it as unfair.
According to him,”when $1 was exchanging for N1850, PMS(Fuel) was being sold for between N700 and N720 per litre,now that the Naira is gaining strength against the Dollar, the same PMS (Fuel) has remained at the same price. The Federal Government should help us by reducing the price of fuel. I want to also equally appeal to the Federal Government, through the Nigeria Customs Service to reduce the high cost of import duties on vehicles and other goods imported into the country. However, we are going to pledged out by reaching out to our members to appreciate and compliment the efforts of government by effecting reduction in transport fares,since the commuters are our brothers and sisters as well”.he submitted.
Responding,Hon Sam Osuji, who is the House Committee Chairman on Transport, thanked the NURTW for the courtesy visit which shows that they have the people of lmo state at heart, while appealing to them once again to reduce transport fares, now that the nation’s currency, the Naira, has continued to gain strength against other currencies, especially, the dollar.
. Hon Osuji explained that the downward movement of the dollar (from N1850 to N1150 for $1) has presented an irrevocable opportunity for transport fares and the prices of essential commodities to reduce, thereby offering great sign of relief to Imo citizens, who have been facing the economic fallout of recent times.
The Isiala Mbano lawmaker further said that as soon as transport fares are reduced, other economic variables would come into play, thereby, reducing prices of commodities in the market.
He reminded members of the transport union that the State Government led by His Excellentcy Governor Hope Uzodimma, having made the Imo Environment business friendly, by constructing quality and durable roads across the state, which have considerably reduced motor accidents, saving lives of drivers, saving lives of passengers, safeguarding goods and less frequenting mechanic workshop for repairs etc, that transporters (and traders alike) ought to compliment these efforts by reducing transport fares.
In his words,”This meeting is sequel to my earlier Press Statement after interacting with the Press, calling for price reduction for commodities and transport fares.
Today, I have followed the call up by inviting you, the members of the Imo State Chapter of NURTW, for an interface.
Despite the reduction in exchange rate, with our Naira gaining more strength, transport fares and prices of other commodities have remained high.”
” I am calling on you to appreciate the efforts of His Excellency Governor Hope Uzodimma by reducing transport fares. If Allen Onyema could do that to compliment the efforts of the federal government, which tirelessly worked hard, through strategic policies, procedures and actions, to strengthen the Naira at the exchange rate market, you too can do same, to compliment the efforts of the Shared Prosperity 3R Government that has tirelessly worked hard, through strategic policies, procedures and actions that have given you, transporters, quality and durable roads across the state. Again, through strategic foreign bank partnership by Governor Uzodimma, billions of dollars worth of investments are already on the way to the state”.he stated.
Hon Sam Ikechukwu Osuji, who is also a member of the Committee on Agriculture went further to state that farmers after harvesting their farm produce and would need transportation to move them from the farm to the market.
“If the transport fare is high, the farmers would naturally add it to what they would eventually sell to consumers, who may be food vendors, and who would go and prepare it to become cooked food and thereafter sell at high cost. Let us stop this trend. There is a reason why I am the Chairman of House Committee On Transport. If we succeed, Glory be to God. But if we fail, we will face the consequences. Let us use our positions to save the situation for our fellow Imo citizens”.he stated.
He also commended the leadership of NURTW in the State led by Comrade Sam Ude, for coming to interface with him and his Committee on the subject matter.
In a vote of thanks, Comrade Chief Emma Ugwoegbulam (Emma Nkirisi)thanked the Chairman of the House Committee on Transport, Hon Sam Osuji, for his steadfastness and desire to have a better society, describing the move as bold and commendable.
He also appreciated Governor Uzodimma for his sacrifices, assuring that NURTW would make an official statement, in line with the State government’s directive.
