By Zakari Haruna Isah
The Katsina State Transport Authority (KTSTA) has announced a staggering minimum subsidy of ₦200 million per month to the state's commuters, a measure implemented to cushion the economic shock of the national fuel subsidy removal.
General Manager Harun Musa, NPOM, FIIC, FICEN, speaking to newsmen at the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ), Kaduna, highlighted the unprecedented achievements of the agency under the leadership of Governor Malam Dikko Umaru Radda, PhD, CON.
The GM declared the KTSTA as "the most vibrant transport authority in Nigeria today".
Governor’s Mandate: No Fare Hike
The transport authority's success began with a decisive intervention by Governor Radda following the removal of the federal fuel subsidy. Recognizing that the income of the populace had not increased while transport fares would naturally multiply, the Governor injected 40 new buses into the fleet.
Crucially, the Governor gave the agency a firm directive: "not to increase one kobo on the transport fare services of the authorities". This policy has successfully maintained affordable rates for city services, intra-state, and inter-state journeys, positively impacting the public, especially civil servants. The calculated minimum monthly subsidy of ₦200 million represents the massive economic relief provided to residents.
IGR Fuels Record Fleet and Infrastructure Growth
With the remarkable feat of financial autonomy, the KTSTA has surpassed the Governor's challenge to purchase at least one new bus per month from its own revenue.
Within two and a half years, the agency has purchased 33 new buses solely from its Internally Generated Revenue (IGR).
The agency's total fleet, including government-owned and Public-Private Partnership (PPP) vehicles, now stands at approximately 300 vehicles. The new policy is to "board out all old vehicles" to ensure commuters are not disappointed while on a journey.
Furthermore, IGR has powered a massive infrastructure upgrade:
New Substations: New substations were built in Mashi and Ngawa.
Renovations: The substation in Dustsenma was renovated 100%, Daura 70%, and Funtua 40%, with all substations receiving new public conveniences and boreholes for hygienic water supply.
Mega-Terminal Project:
The KTSTA is currently building a mega-terminal valued at over ₦2.6 billion. The authority has paid over ₦500 million from its IGR within just seven months. Governor Radda recently injected an additional ₦1 billion into the project to ensure its completion by 2026.
National Standard in Driver Safety
Musa also revealed that the KTSTA has established a unique driver recruitment policy that has been formally accepted and recommended for adoption by all sister transport authorities by the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) at their last year's conference.
The rigorous policy is designed to prevent reckless driving and includes multiple layers of screening:
* License Verification: Genuine driver's license verified by the FRSC.
* Drug Test: Mandated NDLEA drug test to ensure the driver is not a drug addict.
* Medical Check: Medical check-up at the General Hospital to screen for chronic illnesses such as epilepsy, asthma, hypertension, or diabetes that could cause a driver to cease while driving.
* Vision Test: Mandatory vision test at the Katsina Eye Center to ensure visual fitness for safe driving.
* Competence Test: Practical driving ability and knowledge of road signs and regulations tested by an official from the Directorate of Vehicle Inspection Office (VIO).
* Surety System: A reliable surety/guarantee system is in place to hold individuals responsible for reckless driving or misuse of revenue.
The General Manager, a lecturer with Hassan Usman Katsina Polytechnic, attributed the success to a combination of political support and his deep experience, having worked as a mechanic apprentice, motor conductor, driver, spare part dealer, and fleet manager for tankers, trailers, and buses.
He also noted that the agency has successfully settled the ₦50 million debt and two months of worker salary arrears it inherited in October 2018, stating, "nobody will knock at our door coming for his money".
0 Comments