President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has inaugurated a fleet of 107 buses and taxis in Maiduguri as part of the second phase of Governor Babagana Umara Zulum’s metro transport scheme. The initiative, aimed at mitigating the impact of fuel subsidy withdrawal, took place near the Shehu of Borno’s Palace.
Before the commissioning, President Tinubu and Governor Zulum paid homage to the Shehu, Abubakar Ibn Umar Garbai Al-Amin El-kanemi. President Tinubu, who was in Maiduguri for the Chief of Army Staff Annual Conference, took the time to commission Zulum’s vehicles after visiting the Shehu.
Governor Zulum highlighted the state’s massive investment in a mass transit scheme following President Tinubu’s subsidy removal directive. The 107 vehicles were converted to use electricity and gas, tapping into low-cost energy sources to provide affordable transportation for citizens recovering from the Boko Haram insurgency.
The fleet included 35 gas-powered coaster buses, 12 gas-powered Hummer buses, 10 50-seater gas-powered mass transit buses, and 50 electric-powered taxi vehicles. This year, Borno State procured 120 buses, with Governor Zulum launching a fleet of 77 buses in September, covering over 15 routes in the metropolis and Jere Local Government.
The transport scheme promptly reduced transportation prices in Maiduguri, with Zulum’s buses charging N50 compared to private means like Keke Napep, which charge about N150 per route.
After commissioning the vehicles, President Tinubu commended Governor Zulum for good governance, stating, “Your Excellency (Governor Zulum)… this is exactly ‘Hope Renewed’. Thank you for your good job always.
Thank you once again for being innovative and creative; for your concern about your people and the good governance you provide.”
The President expressed plans to leverage Zulum’s foresight to establish assembly plants at the sub-national level, contributing to economic prosperity.
President Tinubu says, “You (Zulum) are doing a good job, thank you very much.”
