Ondo Government Acquires 200 Buses For Mass Transit - Photos

About 200 fleets of buses have been purchased by the Ondo State Government to kick start a mass transportation scheme named Sunshine Express.

It will be recalled that some years back, the state had operated s similar outfit named, Owena Mass Transit which had gone moribund.

Already, 50 out of the buses have arrived the state in readiness for the commencement of the scheme which will be jointly managed by the State government in partnership with a private organization.

The Special Adviser to the State Governor on Transportation, Mr. Tobi Ogunleye who disclosed this in an interview with The Hope yesterday said the buses will operate in both inter and intra-city transportation.

Ogunleye said the scheme was purposely conceived as one of the government steps employing to generate opportunities for the teeming unemployed youths in the state.

He explained that the company will engage over 500 people who will work as clerical officers, drivers and cleaners.

Besides, he noted that the measure was a welfarist oriented programme which was also conceived to make transportation in the state cheaper and easier, thus making life more comfortable for the people.

His words: “We are already putting finishing touches to the scheme as 50 out of the buses have arrived. Others will be brought to the state in a few days to make up the 200 buses that will be plying cities within and outside the state.

“The government will not stop there. We are going to revive the drivers and riders training institute in the state with a motive of training our people both private and government drivers,” he added.

Ogunleye said the training institute is very key to the Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu’s administration at reducing accident on roads in the state and as well put an end to avoidable deaths as a result of auto-crashes.

He noted that the level of reckless among drivers especially those driving bullion vans, government vehicles and some commercial drivers in the state has become a source of worry..

The Special Adviser said the State government will do this in conjunction with the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) and the Vehicle Inspection Office in the State (VIO).

He said the state government has also embarked on several innovative projects to modernize the transportation sector in the state such as the provision of Computerised Vehicle Inspection Centre in the state capital, Akure.

The project, he said, will soon be replicated in other cities of the state.

Senate okays fine of 5million naira for firms without conducive staff buses

The Nigerian Senate has approved a fine of N5 million against any company that fails to provide dignified means of transportation to employees.

Nigerian Tribune reports that the Senate Committee on Land Transport, chaired by Senator Olugbenga Ashafa, presented the report at the plenary on Tuesday, May 15.

Ashafa said any director that is accused of not providing dignified transportation for workers will also be fined with N200,000.

The committee chairman said that the fine for the corporate body was raised from N1 million to N5 million “to enhance safety measures for employees by their respective employees.”

“Offences under this bill shall be tried by the industrial court” while any case of victimization of an employee(s) should be reported to the Minister of Transportation.”

The Senate also considered other safety measures which made it mandatory for employers to acquire well-equipped vehicles with seat belts and “at least a 46-inch high rail or enclosure on the sides and back of the vehicle”.

“Vehicles for conveying employees must have lamps, brakes, horn, mirrors, windshield, turn signals and other safety equipment.

“Every truck-type bus must have seats with backrests and must be provided with a minimum of 18 inches seat space for each passenger. Where the sitting is face to face, the aisle between the seats facing each other shall be 24 inches wide at the narrowest point."

According to the Senate, all staff buses must be equipped with approved reflectors, fire extinguishers, carry a conspicuous mark on the outside of the number of passengers to be carried and shall not be allowed to carry more than the posted number.

The report said that all vehicles” must have exit door that can be opened outward from both the interior and exterior of the vehicle”, adding that those designed for the carriage of goods and animals be clearly marked “for goods only.

Lagos To Commission World Class Ikeja Bus Terminal

All is set for the commissioning of the newly built world-class Ikeja Bus Terminal by Governor Akinwunmi Ambode led administration. President Muhammadu Buhari will lead other top dignitaries on Thursday, March 29, 2018, to unveil the iconic infrastructure.

This iconic terminal is designed to change the face of public transportation and it will convey more than 70,000 passengers daily to over 22 destinations across the State.

The facility, which is sitting on 10,000 square metres land space is equipped with Intelligent Transport System (ITS), Fully Air-conditioned terminal, Food Court, Shops, Toilets, ATM Gallery, Free Wi-Fi, Electronically Controlled shades, among others.

Through the ITS, intending passengers can be informed of the departure time and arrival of the next bus which allows them to plan their movement.

The facility was designed and constructed by Planet Projects, an indigenous construction firm.

Kano State Gov Donates 29 Vehicles To Security Team

His Excellency Dr Abdullahi Umar Ganduje OFR the governor of Kano State today distributed over 29 vehicles worth over 300 million naira to security outfits and other agencies in the state to improve their services.

The beneficiaries include, 12 refurbished vans to the Nigerian Army, 2 brand new vans to Civil Defence, 2 brand new vans for NDLEA, 3 brand new vans to Hisbah, 6 fairly used vans and 2 towing vans to KAROTA and a coaster bus and a corolla to Kano Sports Commission.

Governor Ganduje stated that his administration is committed to supporting the security agencies in particular and other agencies for the enhancement of their activities in the state. He urged them to continue to carry out their duties diligently, amd ensure that they make good use of the vehicles donated to them today.