The Osun State Government says it would suspend the arbitrary increment of fares by commercial minibus drivers called ‘Korope’.
Special Adviser to the Governor on Works and Transportation, Engineer Olatoke Olaniyan gave this assurance during a meeting with the leadership of the state transport union at the Government Secretariat, Abere.
Recall that mini bus popularly known as(Korope) drivers, who operate in Osogbo, the state capital and major towns on Monday effected directives of the motorists’ union on the 100 percent increment in transport fare.
The Special Adviser urged the transport workers to come together as a body to reduce the cost of transportation to a reasonable level and come forward with proposal.
Engr Olaniyan said resolutions have also been made to implement road bus stops with signs in the capital city, Osogbo, for motorist to park properly, dispose and carry passengers adding that this will also discourage road side parking.
According to Engr Olaniyan, route mapping in the state will also be done and every drivers will be known for a particular route as against their disorderedly way of doing business before.
Olatoke stated that Governor Oyetola Will work more to foster the progress of korope drivers through quarterly meeting’s.
Stating the reason for the sudden rise in fare per drop from N50 to N100, the Osun State National Union of Road Transport Workers’ Secretary, Moronkade AbdulJelil said the price of Motor spares parts ,Engine Oil and fuel has doubled therefore making the maintenance of the minibus to be on the high side.
He implored the state Government to implement all the resolution reached as that will encourage the transport stakeholders to play their part to ameliorate cost of living of the people.
Moronkade, however, assured that the resolution by the leadership and the state government will yield a positive change as the price of transport fare will be considerably reduced and back to normal henceforth.
Ahmed Olayoye, a representative of the Nigeria Association of Cooperative Transport (NACT) stated that the increment is not an attempt to exploit commuters as they also have beneficiaries who rely on commercial buses to go about their activities daily.
He explained that inflation has been taking a drastic toll on korope operators hence the need to jerk up fares to augment their meagre income.
Ahmed added “that in 2006 when Korope launched in Osun State one sold at the rate of two hundred and fifty thousand naira but now sells at almost 2 million naira , we service our vehicles twice a month and the price of engine oil has gone up.”
Ahmed appealed to the state government to create a mechanism in it’s scheme of works to stem down inflation throughout the state especially in the spare parts and engine oil market.
