The Osun state government has procured 19 buses at the cost of over N25.2 Million as part of the effort to cushion the harsh effects of the petroleum subsidy removal by the Federal Government of Nigeria.
A statement today, November 22, by the State Commissioner of Information and Public Enlightenment, Oluomo Kolapo Alimi, said that all the buses are due to their almost grounded status and off the road conditions, and cost a total sum of 25,274,288.00. It is to ensure their road worthiness so as to be able to carry out the new services of conveyance of people.
The commissioner said that the 19 buses, christened “Imole Bus,” are to convey civil servants, students and the poorest of the poor residents of the state to their various destinations at a token amount.
According to him, the money charged would be used by the government from time to time for the smooth running and maintenance of the buses.
He said that the state capital had five of the buses officially assigned to it for commuting people to already earmarked routes.
He said that Ede, Iwo and Ikirun had two each while the people of Ife/Modakeke and Ilesha had three each.
The commissioner said that the remaining two of the buses are kept on a standby for other contingencies that may come up from time to time.
“With Osogbo, the capital of Osun state, used as a pilot scheme for the official commencement of Imole bus palliatives shuttle services, the government wishes to announce, with all sense of responsibility, that the bus services will be made to go round other towns and cities of the state very soon.”
He said that the buses are to work on two shifts daily as they ply all the officially designated routes, morning and afternoon of Mondays through Fridays.
“According to the arrangements, the morning services will be between 6:45 am and 9:00 am while the afternoon shuttles will be between 3pm and 5 pm daily.
“The government of Osun state wishes to reaffirm its commitment to never let the public down by always keeping to our campaign promises of putting smiles on their faces.”
