By Abdullahi Idris, Bauchi The Bauchi State Government has procured 30 new commercial vehicles for the Yankari Express Corporation as part...
By Abdullahi Idris, Bauchi
The Bauchi State Government has procured 30 new commercial vehicles for the Yankari Express Corporation as part of efforts to improve transportation services, enhance mobility, and boost the state's internally generated revenue.
Commissioning the vehicles in Bauchi, the State Commissioner for Works and Transport, Prof. Titus Saul Ketkukah, commended Governor Bala Mohammed for his commitment to improving the welfare of residents through strategic investments in public transportation.
Prof. Ketkukah explained that the state government approved the purchase of 30 vehicles, comprising 25 buses and five saloon cars, to strengthen the operations of Yankari Express and meet the growing transportation needs of the people.
He disclosed that the first consignment delivered to the state consists of 12 vehicles, including 10 Toyota Hiace 18-seater buses and two Peugeot 406 saloon cars, while the remaining 18 vehicles are expected to arrive soon.
The commissioner said:
"We had requested a total of 30 vehicles comprising 25 buses and five saloon cars. What we are receiving today is the first consignment. This initial batch consists of 10 buses and two saloon cars already delivered to the state."
Prof. Ketkukah stated that his ministry had drawn the governor's attention to the increasing transportation challenges across communities and institutions in the state, stressing the need for additional vehicles to improve service delivery.
"We highlighted the need for more vehicles for Yankari Express to cater to our growing population. The government also considered the transportation needs of students attending tertiary institutions across the state and organisations that rely on dependable transport services," he said.
He added:
"Today, we are delighted that these concerns have been heard and addressed. This development demonstrates the responsiveness of Governor Bala Mohammed's administration and its unwavering commitment to meeting the basic needs of the people."
Ketkukah recalled that at a time when private commercial transport fares from Bauchi to Abuja surged to over N20,000, Yankari Express maintained its fare at about N9,000 for the same route. He noted that the corporation adopted a similar approach on other routes, underscoring its commitment to providing affordable transportation services to citizens.
The commissioner assured passengers and commuters that the arrival of the remaining vehicles would further strengthen the corporation's capacity to provide efficient services within and outside the state. He also urged the management and staff of Yankari Express to ensure proper utilisation and maintenance of the vehicles to guarantee long-term service delivery.
"The performance of the management team has been commendable, and the people are satisfied with their efforts. As the government continues to provide support for the growth of this corporation, we expect even greater achievements in the future," he added.
Earlier, the General Manager of Yankari Express Corporation, Engr. Babaji Isah Yunusa, expressed appreciation to Governor Bala Mohammed for approving the purchase of the vehicles.
Engr. Yunusa explained that the acquisition was in response to the increasing demand for transportation services and the corporation's request for additional vehicles to expand its operations to other parts of the country.
He assured the state government that the vehicles would be properly managed and deployed to improve transportation services across the state and beyond.
According to him, some of the buses would be dedicated to transporting students of tertiary institutions, including Federal Polytechnic Bauchi, Abubakar Tatari Ali Polytechnic (ATAP), Sa'adu Zungur University, and Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University (ATBU), among others.
He noted that the initiative would help ease transportation challenges faced by students, improve access to education and other essential services, and further strengthen the corporation's commitment to providing safe, affordable, and reliable transportation for the people.
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