Borno State Governor, Babagana Umara Zulum, unveiled a new fleet of 70 buses on Monday, dedicated to metro transport and facilitating the daily commute of civil servants to their workplaces.
This initiative aims to alleviate the challenges of commuting for both government employees and the general public. The unveiling ceremony took place at the Borno Express terminus along the Kano-Maiduguri road.
The newly acquired fleet of buses includes standard-sized and larger buses designed to accommodate a greater number of passengers comfortably.
Each vehicle is equipped with modern amenities, such as air-conditioning facilities and comfortable seating arrangements, ensuring a pleasant commuting experience.
Governor Zulum, in his address, highlighted that this second phase of intervention in the transport sector aims to mitigate the hardships caused by the removal of fuel subsidies.
Out of the total 70 buses, 30 will be exclusively dedicated to transporting civil servants to their workplaces during peak hours, with pickups from 7:00 am to 9:00 am and return trips from 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm, from Mondays to Fridays.
Addressing the Borno Express management, Governor Zulum emphasized the importance of starting operations promptly the following morning (Tuesday) while urging them to keep transportation costs affordable. He stressed that this service should be viewed as a social responsibility rather than a revenue-generating venture.
The governor also commended the management for their efforts in transforming the Maiduguri terminus and enhancing the welfare of both current and retired staff members.
He noted that since taking office, the General Manager has consistently disbursed staff entitlements in a timely manner, which is a commendable achievement.
Additionally, Governor Babagana Umara Zulum unveiled newly constructed structures and remodeled buildings at the terminus. These structures are intended to provide accommodation for travelers and serve as spaces for businesses such as restaurants and offices.
During the tour, the General Manager, Mohammed Grema, highlighted that all these construction projects were financed using internal revenue generated by the Borno Express company.
