Commuters in the Federal Capital Territory on Tuesday criticised the FCT Administration’s new policy of banning the mini buses without providing alternative means of transportation.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that many commuters were stranded since Monday at various bus stops in satellite towns because of the ban by FCTA on mini buses popularly called `Araba’.
Many of the commuters after waiting several hours for buses were forced to trek long distance to get to their destinations.
Commuters, who spoke to NAN criticised the policy, saying that the administration should have made provision for alternative means of transportation before implementing the policy.
Mr Clement Nnawuihe, a commuter at Jukwoyi, lamented the non availability of the high capacity buses which were supposed to replace the mini buses that were banned.
``I have waited for two hours without seeing any means of getting to my office in town; the high capacity buses are scarcely on the road.
``It means that the government did not plan very well before they started this implementation.
``Before embarking on this kind of policy, there ought to have been High Capacity Buses on ground or even good rail line in the FCT to convey people to various destinations,’’ he said.
Meanwhile, the transport fares were increased by 100 per cent as few privately owned buses were seen plying the Nyanya-Keffi road.
Kenneth Ola, an apprentice said: ``I have been waiting for the past three hours and couldn’t afford the one I saw later as the fare from Kurudu to town was increased from N100 to N200.’’
Many commuters were also stranded in the town, especially at Wuse zones, as people trekked for longer distance.
A stranded nursing mother, Mrs Uju Daba, with luggage and her baby on her back told NAN that she was very tired and worried after trekking a long distance without hope of getting a bus.
A civil servant, Mr Salihu Abdulmumin, told NAN that the government should have enlightened the people and provided buses before implementing the policy in order to reduce suffering of the people.
``I am going to Area 1, Garki, but I have been trekking since morning looking for bus. If this should continue, it will affect one’s productivity,’’ he said.
Another commuter, Mrs Rose Ibrahim, said that she trekked from Berger junction to Zone 3 with her three children, saying she would not have come out with the children.
In his reaction, the Secretary FCT Transportation, Mr Jonathan Ivoke told NAN that the FCT Administration had not banned the use of mini buses completely in the FCT.
He explained that the FCTA was trying to implement the Abuja master plan on transportation. (NAN)
