Gov Alia slashes Benue Links fares by 50% for persons with disabilities

Governor Hyacinth Alia of Benue State has ordered a 50 percent reduction in transport fares for all Persons With Disabilities (PWDs) using the state-owned Benue Links Nigeria Ltd.

Announcing the directive in Makurdi over the weekend, the company’s General Manager, Comrade Alexander Fanafa, said the policy takes effect immediately.

The move follows the governor’s recent domestication of the national Disability Act in Benue.

Fanafa notes the administration’s swift response to the needs of commuters, noting that “the Governor has been responsive and proactive in attending to the transportation needs of the people of Benue and by extention Nigerians who patronise and enjoy the services of the company.”

According to him, the Alia government tackled chronic flooding at the company’s headquarters by installing a culvert and drainage and fully asphalting the premises.

He recalled that when the administration came on board, “the company also face the challenge of a lack of vehicles.

It was only the vehicles that people leased to us that was sustaining the company at the time.

The Governor, in his magnanimit,y donated 100 buses to the company in November 2023. And we have continuously sustained those 100 buses, bought 10 additional buses and 10 Sedan cars for taxi services to add to that fleet.”

Fanafa added that beyond expanding the fleet, the governor instructed that PWDs enjoy half-price fares and preferential boarding: “The Governor directed that we reduce our transportation fare for all Persons With Disabilities who come to travel with Benue Links.

They are given the privilege to pay only 50 percent of our transport fare. They are also granted preferential treatment when they want to travel with our vehicles.

This instruction is to ensure that the PWDs are also given a sense of belonging in the society as far as the transportation system is concerned.”

He said the company’s competitive pricing and increased number of buses have compelled private operators to lower their own fares.

To strengthen operations, Benue Links has hired more than 110 drivers under the supervision of VIO and FRSC officials, raised staff salaries to a N75,000 minimum wage, and ensured prompt payment of retirees’ gratuities.

The General Manager praised Governor Alia for revitalizing the transport sector. He revealed that Benue Links now serves 35 states and Abuja, with plans to restart the Ekiti route.

The company has also introduced online booking on select routes and launched haulage and courier services using three governor-donated trucks and additional company-owned vehicles.

Fanafa further explained that the intracity service has helped cushion the impact of fuel subsidy removal on state workers, emphasizing that the administration continues to prioritize affordable, efficient movement of people and goods across Benue and beyond.