Incorporate marine transporters in the N100 billion intervention fund, Keka pleads with Tinubu

Community Development Exponent and Chieftain of the All Progressives Congress, APC in Warri South-West Local Government Area of Delta State, Erefoluwa Keka, has appealed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, to incorporate operators of ferry and speed boats in the N100 billion to be invested between now and March 2024, as part of interventions to mitigate the effects of deregulation of the downstream sector.

President Tinubu, had in a Nationwide Broadcast, 7pm Monday July 31, disclosed plans by his administration to roll out buses across the states and local governments for mass transit at a much more affordable rate, promising to invest N100 billion between now and March 2024 to acquire 3000 units of 20-seater CNG-fuelled buses. 

While reacting to President Tinubu’s broadcast, Keka, emphasized the need to carry coastal dwellers along in the planned intervention, saying, “ferry boats and speedboats, should be included in the procurement, instead of buses alone.”

Erefoluwa Keka

He also advised the President, to direct intended implementors of the N50 billion to be spent on Conditional Grant to 1 million nano businesses, to ensure that the N50,000 each meant for 1,300 nano business owners in each of the 774 local governments across the country, gets to nano business owners in the riverine communities.

According to Keka, riverine dwellers are worst hit by deregulation of the downstream sector, “because they spend more on fuel (Premium Motor Spirit) food, medical supplies and other essential services, as a result of their difficult terrain. This is not forgetting the aged-long challenges of environmental degradation, caused by the exploration/exploitation of crude oil in the coastal communities.

“Mr. President, should also include riverine dwellers in his plan to support cultivation of 500,000 hectares of farmland and all-year-round farming practice. It will be economically beneficial to incorporate fishermen in President Tinubu’s plan to invest N50 billion each to cultivate 150,000 hectares of rice and maize as well as N50 billion each for the cultivation of 100,000 hectares of wheat and cassava.”

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