Current:Home > InvestNigeria slashes transport fees during the holidays to ease some of the pain of austerity measures-Angel Dreamer Wealth Society D1 Reviews & Insights
Nigeria slashes transport fees during the holidays to ease some of the pain of austerity measures
View Date:2024-12-23 21:03:22
ABUJA, Nigeria (AP) — Nigeria’s leader slashed the fees during the holiday season for several public transport routes in half and offered free train rides starting Thursday, hoping to ease — at least temporarily — some of the economic hardship caused by his government’s austerity measures.
Elected in May to lead Africa’s most populous country, President Bola Tinubu has introduced several economic changes, including removing decadeslong gas subsidies. The impact of the measures has worsened the cost of living for millions already struggling with record inflation.
Nigeria is a nation of more than 210 million people and also the continent’s largest economy but it suffers from widespread poverty, violent crime and religious extremism. The population is almost evenly divided between Christians, dominant in the south, and Muslims in the north, and Christmas is a national holiday.
Government minister Dele Alake, in charge of the solid minerals portfolio, told reporters late Wednesday that the government’s decision on the reduced cost of public transport fees comes “in recognition of the economic situation of the country which he (Tinubu) is working very hard to turn around.”
Though Nigerians often see Christmas as a once-in-a-year opportunity to reunite with families back in rural areas, fewer people are traveling home this year as more citizens are forced to decide between traveling or saving money for basic necessities such as food.
In big urban places such as the economic hub of Lagos, transport fares have more than tripled since the government removed gas subsidies. Commuters now have to pay for cabs within the city with what three years ago would have been enough for an interstate plane ticket in Nigeria.
“This season has not been like other seasons,” said Ndubuisi Anyanwu, a bus driver at a popular Lagos park, lamenting the lack of passengers “because there is no money.”
The change in public transport fees will target 5 million Nigerians and last till Jan. 4, presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga said. There will be free transport on the three major train routes in the country in addition to a 50% discount when travelers use any of the selected five popular transport companies across 28 routes, Onanuga said.
While the intervention was welcomed by many, some criticized the decision to limit the 50% discounts to only five transport companies, saying this would limit the number of people impacted by the measure.
In the capital city of Abuja, Uche Udenwa says he will for the first time miss out on going home to his village in southeast Nigeria for Christmas because he can’t afford to pay more than double what he paid last year.
“I was looking forward to seeing my people this December but where will I see money to travel?” the 30-year-old trader said.
___
Associated Press writer Dan Ikpoyi in Lagos, Nigeria, contributed to this report.
___
This story has been corrected to show that government minister Dele Alake runs the portfolio on solid minerals, not the ministry of information.
veryGood! (248)
Related
- Gisele Bündchen Makes First Major Appearance Since Pregnancy
- The Biden administration isn’t extending a two-year program for migrants from 4 nations
- Donald Glover cancels Childish Gambino tour dates after recent surgery
- Rosie O'Donnell says she's 'like a big sister' to Menendez brothers Lyle and Erik
- A wayward sea turtle wound up in the Netherlands. A rescue brought it thousands of miles back home
- AP Top 25: Texas returns to No. 1, Alabama drops to No. 7 after upsets force reshuffling of rankings
- US court to review civil rights lawsuit alleging environmental racism in a Louisiana parish
- Sister Wives’ Kody Brown Says Marriage to Robyn Has Been Hurt More Than Relationships With His Kids
- Waymo’s robotaxis now open to anyone who wants a driverless ride in Los Angeles
- Ex-Delaware officer sentenced to probation on assault conviction
Ranking
- Karol G addresses backlash to '+57' lyric: 'I still have a lot to learn'
- Amari Cooper pushes through frustrations, trade rumors as Browns continue to slide
- Jury selection begins in murder trial of Minnesota man accused of killing his girlfriend
- Lakers' Bronny James focusing on 'being a pest on defense' in preseason
- Officer injured at Ferguson protest shows improvement, transferred to rehab
- Sean “Diddy” Combs’ Mom Janice Defends Him Against “Public Lynching” Amid Sexual Abuse Allegations
- Supreme Court rejects Republican-led challenge to ease voter registration
- 'Just gave us life': Shohei Ohtani provides spark for Dodgers in playoff debut
Recommendation
-
'Squid Game' creator lost '8 or 9' teeth making Season 1, explains Season 2 twist
-
Texas still No. 1 in US LBM Coaches Poll but rest of college football top 10 gets reshuffling
-
'The Princess Diaries 3' prequel is coming, according to Anne Hathaway: 'MIracles happen'
-
Minnesota man arrested after allegedly threatening to ‘shoot up’ synagogue
-
Are banks, post offices, UPS and FedEx open on Veterans Day? Here's what to know
-
Andrew Garfield Reveals Sex Scene With Florence Pugh Went “Further” Than Intended
-
Two boys, ages 12 and 13, charged in assault on ex-NY Gov. David Paterson and his stepson
-
Michigan gun owner gets more than 3 years in prison for accidental death of grandson