Fuel Subsidy: Passengers laud PMT proprietor for reverting to old fares

Some customers of Peace Mass Transit (PMT), Nsukka, Nsukka Local Government Area (LGA) of Enugu State, have applauded the owner of PMT, Mr. Samuel Onyishi, for reverting to old transport fares.

Supreme reports that Onyishi, on Monday, directed his drivers to revert to the transport fare before the removal of fuel subsidies by the Federal Government.

The passengers gave the commendation in separate interviews in Nsukka on Tuesday.

They said that the reversal had reduced the sufferings of Nigerians and urged other transporters in the country to emulate the good example of Onyishi.

Mrs. Jane Ogbonna, a passenger traveling from Nsukka to Enugu, said that the PMT proprietor had once again demonstrated that he is a good Christian who shares the pains and sufferings of the people.

“I was surprised today. When I wanted to pay my fare, I gave the cashier at the counter N2,000, and she returned N500 to me.

“She told me that Oga (the owner of PMT) has directed them to collect N1,500, the old fare, before the removal of subsidy.

“If other transporters in the country will emulate Onyishi, it will go a long way to cushioning the effect of the suffering caused by the removal of fuel subsidies by the Federal Government,” she said.

Mr. Raymond Ukaegbu, another passenger traveling from Nsukka to Owerri, commended the PMT owner for directing his drivers to revert to old fares before the removal of the fuel subsidy.

“Onyishi is now using his personal money to subsidize transport for passengers; that is very good of him, and God will reward him abundantly.

“For me, Onyishi is an example of a patriotic and detribalized Nigerian because everybody in the country will benefit from this kind gesture,” he said.

Miss Kemi Ade, who was traveling from Nsukka to Lagos, commended the PMT owner and urged other transport company owners in the country to emulate him.

“My prayer is that God will continue to bless and favor Onyishi and his company.

“As Onyishi is using the wealth given to him by God to serve humanity, God will give him more,” Ade said.

The manager of Nsukka PMT Park, Mr. Peter Uko, said that all the drivers in Nsukka had reverted to the transport fare before the removal of subsidies as directed by the owner.

“As a manager, I have ensured that all drivers comply with Oga’s directive, and any driver found disobeying the directive would be sanctioned immediately.

“For instance, before the subsidy, Nsukka to Enugu was N1,500, and Nsukka to Owerri was N5,000.

“After the subsidy removal, Nsukka to Enugu was N2,000, andNsukka to Owerri was N6,000,” he said.

When contacted, Onyishi confirmed to NAN that he directed all PMT drivers on June 5 to revert to old transport fares before the removal of fuel subsidies by the federal government.

“Yes, I gave the directive to all my drivers because I know people are finding it difficult now to pay the new transport fares.

“Imagine that, because of subsidy removal, Nsukka to Enugu now costs N2,000. No, it does not make sense to me.

“I will maintain my old transport fares until they (federal and state governments) increase the salary of workers,” Onyishi said