|
LISTEN TO THIS THE AFRICANA VOICE ARTICLE NOW
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...
|
Nigeria Offers Free Trains for Christmas Travel
In a bid to ease the financial burden of holiday travel, the Nigerian government Wednesday, December 20, 2023 announced free train rides and a 50% discount on public bus fares across the country during the festive season. The move is aimed at allowing domestic travelers to visit their loved ones and hometowns “without stress and the extra burden imposed by the high cost of transport around this period,” said Dele Alake, Minister of Solid Minerals Development, at a press briefing.
The discount on inter-state fares and free train rides will take effect from Thursday and will run until January 4th. The deal, which has already been approved by President Bola Tinubu, was reached in conjunction with companies operating luxury buses across 22 routes nationwide.
According to Mr. Alake, air transportation was not included in the arrangement because the president’s target is “the masses.” Transport Minister Sa’idu Alkali said the substantial reduction in bus fares and the free train rides would ensure “every Nigerian can partake in the joy of the season without the burden of exorbitant transportation costs.”
Segun Falade, the spokesperson for the National Union of Road Transport Workers, said the bus operators would start applying the fare subsidy as agreed.
December is traditionally the busiest month for travel in Nigeria, with the highest number of air, road, and railway passengers. The government’s initiative is expected to bring some relief to Nigerians who are already grappling with rising inflation and economic hardship.
The announcement has been met with mixed reactions from Nigerians. Some have praised the government for the initiative, while others have expressed skepticism about its implementation.
Those who support the move argue that it will make it easier for people to travel to their hometowns and celebrate the holidays with their loved ones. They also believe that it will boost the economy by stimulating spending in rural areas.
However, some Nigerians have expressed concerns about the potential for overcrowding on trains and buses. They also worry that some bus operators may try to take advantage of the subsidy by charging higher fares for other routes or services.
Kenya Signs Trade Deal with EU
Kenya and the European Union (EU) Monday December 18 signed a major economic partnership agreement (EPA) granting duty-free and quota-free access for select Kenyan products to the European market, Kenya’s largest export destination.
The agreement, signed by Kenyan President William Ruto and EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, aims to boost bilateral trade and economic growth for both parties. Kenyan officials emphasized the potential for the deal to benefit “ordinary people,” including farmers, craftspeople, and workers involved in manufacturing, transportation, and distribution of covered products.
Under the EPA, Kenya will receive duty-free access for agricultural and industrial products, such as flowers, coffee, and textiles. However, the agreement also requires Kenya to gradually liberalize its market for EU goods over time.
The EU is Kenya’s leading export destination and second-largest trading partner, representing €3.3 billion in trade in 2022. Both the EU and Kenyan parliaments need to ratify the agreement before it takes effect.
Negotiations for the EPA initially included other East African Community (EAC) members, but the regional bloc abandoned the pact in 2014, leaving Kenya to pursue the agreement bilaterally.
LEAVE A COMMENT
You must be logged in to post a comment.