Ayodele Olalere
Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State, on Wednesday, announced reduction in transport fare of Bus Rapid Transport (BRT) by 50% starting from Thursday, this week.
He made the announcement at a briefing held at Lagos House, Marina to announce some palliative measures by the state to cushion the effect of the fuel scarcity and cash shortages currently experienced by Nigerians.
The governor added that the reduction also covers all Lagos ferries, LagRide, First and Last Mile buses.
The reduction will, however, be for a week after which it will be reviewed, according to the governor.
Other palliatives include setting up of food banks in selected parts of the state where food will be distributed to vulnerable Lagosians.
He further said to address the fuel shortage, the state government has held meetings with tank farm owners at Ijegun-Egba road where 40% of fuel distributed to other parts of the country are distributed, and agreed to suspend construction work going on on the road for easy movement of fuel tankers.
Governor Sanwo-Olu further said agreements have also been reached with independent marketers and fuel stations across. the state to embark on 24hrs sales of fuel.
He commended the Supreme Court for its decision which ordered the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, to suspend the February 10 deadline for cash swap.
He, however, warned those who might want to use the current situation to foment trouble in the state to desist as the state government will.not allow any mischief maker to cause violence in the state.
