Borno State Governor Babagana Umara Zulum has launched a free transport initiative to enable non-Indigenes residing in the State to travel home for Christmas and the New Year celebrations.
The free transport initiative will facilitate the travel of 710 non-indigenes to various parts of the country.
The destinations include North Central, South East, South West, and South South regions, which will run over a period of three days.
This initiative, introduced in 2020 by Governor Zulum’s administration, aims to ease the economic challenges faced by the less privileged, particularly in light of the fuel subsidy removal and ensure non-indigenes celebrate the festive season with their loved ones.
The free transport was flagg-off on Saturday at the Borno Express Bus Terminus, saw about 285 persons traveling to the various parts of the country, of which the second batch of 285 would travel on Sunday, while the remaining ones would be leaving the State on Monday.
Speaking during the flagging off, the Chairman Ohaneze All Progressives Congress ( APC ) support group, Chief Ugochukwu Egwidike , said each of the 710 travellers would also receive a cash sum of N50,000, while about 250 widows who did not travel would be given N50,000 each to celebrate the Christmas.
Egwudike added that Governor Zulum has made significant strides in providing succour to the needy with various initiatives aimed at alleviating poverty and promoting social welfare, such as subsidised transportation services within Maiduguri metropolitan council, as well as sponsoring Christians to Jerusalem for pilgrimage.
” Apart from enhanced reduced transportation in city, Governor Zulum’s administration has been offering free transport scheme for all the non Indigenes in every yuletide season like this to connect any part of the six geopolitical zones of Nigeria, with a total of 710 beneficiaries reached annually, thus bridging the gap in mobility and connectivity, and promoting economic growth and development.
“He provided emergency aid and resources to the non Indigenes affected by the recent flood incident in the state and thus showcased his ability to respond to crisis and prioritise the wellbeing of all residents. The Governor has been providing this free transport scheme to non Indigenes from 2020 to date, ” Egwudike said.
The Oba of Yorubas in Borno State, Alhaji Hassan Alao Yusuf who witnessed the flagging off ceremony in company of other leaders, appreciated Zulum for the gesture ,saying that the transport scheme to the non Indigenes has depicted the detribalised nature of the Governor.
“He doesn’t care about your religion, tribe or party affiliation. You can see that every one of the travellers is happy with the Governor’s gestures. Many of them, due to the present economic hardship, wouldn’t have made the journey to go home and celebrate with their loved ones if not for the free transport scheme,” said Alhaji Yusuf.
A member of the board of trustees of Igbo Welfare Association/ Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Borno State, Pharm Napoleon Egbonu noted that the gesture of the Governor to non Indigenes in the State is a unifying factor that needed to to be emulated by other Governors in building a trust and unity among ethic groups across the country.
Also speaking, the General Manager, Borno Express Transport Corperation, Grema Zanna, appreciated Governor Zulum for the gesture, saying the what the Governor has done is part of his programme of alleviating the issue of high cost transportation to the residents of the State.
He noted that those that are benefiting from the free transport scheme notwithstanding being non Indigenes have been contributing to the economic development of the state and are part and parcel of Borno State.
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