Benue State Governor Hyacinth Alia has introduced a transport subsidy to mitigate the impact of the federal government’s removal of fuel subsidies on citizens, according to Alexander Fanafa, the General Manager of Benue Links Nigeria Limited. In an interview with The Sun, Fanafa disclosed that the state government’s intervention aims to cushion the effects on residents and other Nigerians living in the state. Additionally, the governor directed a 50 per cent reduction in transport fares for people living with disabilities (PWDs).
Fanafa, who assumed the role of Acting General Manager on June 15, 2023, and was confirmed in 2024, stated that he was one of Governor Alia’s earliest appointees. He noted that upon taking over, the company faced significant challenges, including inadequate vehicles for fleet operations, a deplorable working environment, and staff salary arrears. The governor subsequently directed immediate measures to address these issues, starting with the improvement of the company’s premises.
Under the governor’s directive, the company’s infrastructure was overhauled to provide a more comfortable environment for passengers. This included the construction of a bus culvert and a drainage system to prevent perennial flooding, as well as the German-flooring and asphalt paving of the premises. Canopies were also installed to shelter passengers from both rain and sun. Fanafa highlighted that these changes were designed to ensure a decent operational environment for both staff and customers.
The fleet of Benue Links has also seen substantial expansion. When Fanafa arrived, the company owned only 13 functional vehicles, while approximately 400 were privately owned. The governor injected 100 brand-new vehicles into the company to restore normal operations and donated trucks to facilitate the introduction of haulage services. Consequently, the company’s operational scope has expanded from fewer than 10 local government headquarters to nearly all 23 in Benue State, barring areas affected by security challenges such as Naka.
- Benue Links has expanded its reach beyond the state, growing from 18 to 20 outstations to nearly 32 states, including the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.
- The company recently arranged vehicles to transport prospective corps members to orientation camps in all 35 states of the Federation, including Abuja.
- Permanent sites have been acquired and developed in Abuja, Ihugh, Adikpo, and Zaki Biam to support the company’s growth.
Operational efficiency has been further enhanced through the revival of a filling station within the company’s premises, allowing vehicles to fuel up before embarking on journeys to reduce delays. The company has also embraced technological innovations by introducing an online booking platform, which has operated without reported hacking incidents for two and a half years. Additionally, Benue Links has established a haulage business and registered with the Nigerian Postal Authority (NIPOST) to legally run courier services across the country.
<small>Source: The Sun Nigeria — read the original story there.</small>
