Residents of Rivers State have called on Governor Siminalayi Fubara to reintroduce the state’s palliative buses to help cushion the impact of rising transportation costs following the surge in fuel prices.
The call was echoed by the media aide to the Chairman of Emohua Local Government Area, Bright Jossy, who appealed to the governor to return the buses to major roads across the state.
In a message addressed to the governor, Jossy suggested that the buses should not be entirely free this time but operated at subsidised rates to enable them sustain operations.
“Dear Sir Siminalayi Fubara GSSRS, Governor of Rivers State, please bring back these government buses. Please don’t make it entirely free this time so that it can generate money to fuel itself,” he said.
Jossy noted that the rising cost of transport has become burdensome for many residents, citing complaints that commercial vehicles now charge about ₦200 from Garrison to St John’s Junction in Port Harcourt.
According to him, operating the government buses at about ₦100 per drop on major routes would help ease the burden on commuters.
Similarly, media personality Amb. Allwell Ene questioned why the palliative buses were no longer in operation, stressing that residents need them now more than ever.
“Why park these palliative buses? This is when residents need them more,” he said.
The Rivers State Government has yet to respond to the calls for the reintroduction of the buses.
