Dele Ogunyemi
6 November 2009
Ibadan — Oyo State governor, Otunba Christopher Adebayo Alao-Akala, yesterday, in Ibadan, formally launched 200 brand new taxi cabs into the state transportation system under the State Youth Improvement Scheme, declaring that graduate drivers are being involved as beneficiaries of the programme to enable them partner with government in its on-going efforts at improving the state transportation system.
Specifically, Gov. Alao-Akala stressed the need for graduate drivers to take the leadership role in the state transportation sector, judging by the unfolding trends in the industry globally.
His words: "Let me here make it clear that modern transport system all over the world involves the initiative of highly intelligent and talented individuals. Transportation nowadays is not an ordinary business that should be looked down upon. The role of transportation is key to economic development, therefore when graduates are involved, they become pioneers of the future leaders in modern transportation system. Great things start small. Those who commence the scheme now will by the grace of God be controlling fleet of luxurious vehicles in the nearest future."
Gov. Alao-Akala expressed concern that "a few people have misconstrued the involvement of graduates in the scheme," assuring that his administration meant well for the beneficiaries.
He added that the government is committed to the improvement of the transportation system in the state.
According to him, "it is in this regard that it (the state government) has embarked on massive construction of roads in all nooks and crannies of the state."
He remarked that the government would not relent in its efforts of providing good road network as it will continue to open up areas in the state through construction of roads.
Apart from road construction, he said, the government had in the past made buses available to members of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) on instalmental payment, to enhance movement of persons and goods in the state. He added that this was apart from the 80 new buses procured for Trans City Transport Company (TCTC).
Gov. Alao-Akala posited that since the present administration came on board in May 2007, it has worked assiduously to eradicate poverty in the state, explaining that the procurement of the 200 taxi cabs was one of the programmes under the state government's 13-Point agenda "which is to facilitate the creation of employment opportunities through provision of avenues for self employment."
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