By Dare Akogun
Commercial transport workers in Kwara state on Tuesday benefitted 50 mini- buses, popularly called ‘korope’ from a business partnership between the state government and a finance company, SEAP Microfinance bank which is aimed at supporting their business.
Speaking at the presentation of the vehicles to the beneficiaries, who are members of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) and the Road Transport Employers Association (RTEAN) in Ilorin, Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq said the event is the second phase of his administration’s community transport intervention project.
Represented by the Commissioner for Works, Rotimi Iliasu, the governor said the project is meant to ease movement of commuters, goods and services across communities in the state.
Governor Abdulrasaq, stated that the first phase of the intervention was launched in August, 2021 when members of TOAN benefitted from 100 tricycles that were rolled out.
He also said that the benefitting transporters are expected to pay back a sum of N3.7 million on each of the vehicles within 18 months.
According to him “This intervention worth N125m as provided by SEAP. The government on our part guarantees the facility for the benefit of our people. It is noteworthy to commend the management of SEAP has always assist our government particularly in the area of transportation.
“This is the kind of strategic partnership we have always advocated in our effort to ensure shared prosperity. We have not only invested in infrastructure, especially on road to open our communities that were hitherto neglected.
“We have also created direct and indirect jobs to take many of our young population out of idleness through various interventions.We are confident that your meticulous use of these vehicles will generate more economic values for our people,” he added.
Also speaking, the Senior Special Assistant (SSA) to the governor on Community Intervention, Kayode Oyin-Zubair, urged the transporters to make maximum use of the opportunity to improve their economic development and growth.
The governor’s aide also appealed to the beneficiaries to always save money to make repayment easier.
In their response their response the leadership of the transport unions in the state both commended the state government for the initiative saying the transport unions occupies a strategic position in the workforce and development of the country and as such investment in the sector is very important.
Chairman of the state Road Transport Workers Employees Association of Nigeria, RTEAN AbdulRahman Olayinka Onikijipa, the union is impressed with the commitment of the governor to the provision of social amenities across the length and breadth of the State.
“We are not surprised that the responsible and responsive government of Mallam AbdulRahman Abdul Razaq, Executive Governor of Kwara State is partnering our union to provide working tools for our members,” he said.
For the chairman of the National Union of Road Transport Workers, NURTW, Alhaji Abdulkareem Abdulrasaq Ariwoola, said it important for different levels of government to make deliberate investment in the transport sector.”More than ever I am excited today as our members are supported with units of shuttle bus to ply various roads in Kwara State. As you continue to partner with us on developmental issues you are assured of our unalloyed supports, he said.
