Christmas: Why we resist hike in transport fare~EBOTRANS Boss

By Nwogha Ndubuisi, Abakaliki

The Acting General Manager of Ebonyi State Transport Corporation, EBOTRANS, Dr. Simon Idenyi, has emphasized that transport fares across the State and beyond would not be increased despite the hike in fuel price and the increased rate of maintenance due to high rate in dollars.

Idenyi made this known while speaking with newsmen in Abakaliki on Monday, December 11, 2023. He maintained that despite the facing challenges as the impact of sit-at-home orders, rising fuel costs, and increased maintenance expenses due to dollar fluctuation, the corporation stands firm in its decision not to increase fares, prioritizing affordability for the public. Stating: "we have three major challenges; the sit-at-home, the hike in the fuel pump price and the cost of maintenance caused by the rise in the dollar exchange rate” and further vowed that the above challenges won’t push the corporation to increase the price of transportation, especially in this Christmas celebration.

“We will not increase the price of transportation, even on the verge of suffering from the above challenges. Far be it to us to increase the price of transportation as that's the only means of stabilizing His Excellency, Chief Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru's people's charter of needs manifesto in the transport sector of the state. "Some Politicians are not happy that we are reducing the price of transportation but we are determined to make life affordable to the poor people,” he stated. Dr. Idenyi criticizes the sit-at-home practice, describing it as detrimental witchcraft affecting the economy of the Southeast region. He emphasizes the unseen consequences that may arise if the trend continues. Our Correspondent gathered that since Dr. Idenyi took charge in June, EBOTRANS has experienced significant growth, doubling its depot count from 7 to 14 through strategic planning and vehicle refurbishment as well put up global standard utility and. In a related development, Dr. Idenyi appeals to the State Governor, Rt. Hon. Francis Nwifuru, urging his administration to consider subvention or grants for state-owned transport corporations as it was done to Ebonyi State University and other state-owned institutions. He said the subvention would enable the state transport corporation to purchase vehicles, tackle other challenges and recruit staff, noting that in the next five years, there will be no staff left in the corporation as many will soon retire or resign. “Some of our buses were vandalized, grounded or affected by human errors. Government doesn’t give us money but we run this place for the public interest and that of the state government. Since the creation of Ebonyi State in 1996, there are many government establishments that have folded but EBTRANS have not folded. “If you close down this place, about 200 people working here will be jobless and it’s not easy to get jobs now, and that’s why we have decided to open fourteen other branches across the country, as a way to create jobs for the people. Looking towards technological advancements, he disclosed that the corporation is exploring the use of cooking gas to power generators and vehicles, aiming for cost-effectiveness and environmental sustainability.