Hike In Minibus Fare Worsening Osun Residents’ Living Conditions, Human Right Group Tells Oyetola

By Ayobami Agboola, Osogbo

A human right group, Osun Civil Society Coalition has called on Governor of Osun State, Mr Gboyega Oyetola to as matter of urgency come to the aid of residents who have been expressing anguish over sudden increase of intercity bus fare in the state capital, Osogbo.

The operators of minibus popularly called “Korope” had last week Monday jacked up the transport fare bidding reportedly because of the diversions and longer routes brought about by the ongoing flyover project at Olaiya interception.

Expressing worry over the development, OCSC in a statement jointly signed by Comrade Waheed Lawal, Comrade Bello Adebayo, Comrade Waheed Saka, Comrade Mrs. Lola Wey and Comrade Emmanuel Olowu, and made available to CityMirrorNews, in Osogbo condemned the new fare rates.

OCSC said Oyetola should persuade operators of mini bus (Korope) to revert the newly implemented fare to the old rate in order to prevent the people from believing that there is a conspiracy between the government and the operators to inflict unnecessary pains on them.

It was gathered that bus fare of ₦50 now moved to ₦100 flat rate on every drop irrespective of distance within the state which took effect on Monday 18th May 2021.

Condemning what it yermed “rude decision” of the mini bus drivers, the group said: “we believe that this act of impunity will bring untold hardship unto the generality of residents of the state some of whom earn below Ten Thousand Naira a month with about a family of six (husband, wife, and their four children) which if unchecked will result in an unprecedented increase in crime rate.

While suggesting way-out, the group said: “We remember that the Osun state Government procures some Buses for Omoluabi scholars Bus during the immediate past government of Ogbeni Abdulrauf Aregbesola and that the Federal government of Nigeria during the regime of President Goodluck Jonathan gave some buses to States to cushion the effect of fuel price increase in 2012 and therefore suggest that these busses be brought back into use with immediate effect with proper supervision by relevant stakeholders made up of the government representative, representative of the civil society and relevant private sector operators to break the monopoly of the private sector operators in the transport industry and thus end the current culture of impunity.

“Based on the intention of the state government to creating Bus –Stops in Osun State we therefore present to you this following route.

Orita Olaiya – Owode Ede , Orita Olaiya – Osunjela Orita Olaiya – Okinni ,Orita Olaiya – Trade fair junction (Dele Yes Sir), Orita Olaiya – Kobo – nigbogbore among others.

“It interests us to inform you that this arrangement is not new in the southwestern part of Nigeria as Lagos and Ibadan can be used as a case study.

“As a people’s friendly Governor, we will want you to note that the actions of the intercity bus operators symbolizes impunity by charging at a fix rate without putting to consideration the distance. We are of the view that such act of impunity must not be allowed to stand as other sectors will follow suit, ” the group noted.
Ends