The Kebbi State Government has commissioned 50 newly procured 18-seater buses to enhance mass transit services within and outside the state.
The buses were officially inaugurated at the newly constructed Ultra-Modern Motor Park in Birnin Kebbi by the Commissioner for Lands and Physical Planning, Alhaji Hayatuddeen Bawa.
Speaking at the ceremony, Bawa said the initiative is aimed at addressing transportation challenges faced by residents, particularly during long-distance travel. He noted that Kebbi had previously remained the only state in the North-West without a functional mass transit system.
The Commissioner commended the efforts of Governor Nasir Idris for investing in the transport sector and improving the mobility of citizens.
He urged beneficiaries of the buses to make judicious use of the vehicles to ensure sustainability of the programme, adding that more units could be provided if properly managed.
Bawa also advised drivers to maintain professionalism by avoiding overloading, reckless driving, and excessive speeding, while ensuring proper maintenance of the buses.
In his remarks, the Chairman of the National Association of Transport Owners (NATO), Kebbi State chapter, Alhaji Ali Aliyu, expressed appreciation to the state government for the initiative, describing it as a major step toward improving transportation within and beyond the state.
Also speaking, the Deputy Corps Commandant, Operations, of the Federal Road Safety Corps in Kebbi State, DCC Musa Danladi, disclosed that the drivers were carefully screened and trained before being handed the vehicles.
He added that the drivers have been cautioned to strictly adhere to traffic rules and regulations to ensure the safety of passengers and other road users.
The commissioning marks a significant milestone in the state’s efforts to modernize its transport infrastructure and improve connectivity across the region.