Oyo NYSC Coordinator Secures Fare Reduction for Corps Members
But for the timely intervention of the Oyo State Coordinator of the National Youths Service Corps, Mr. Abel Oche, the Batch B, Stream one, corps members would have been extorted by commercial drivers unhindered.
It’s a tradition of the NYSC Officials to mobilise commercial drivers to the camp on the closing of the three weeks orientation course for every new batch after distribution of deployment letters to places of primary assignments, corps members usually pay regulated fares to enhance stress-free travel to their respective local governments of posting across the state.
The situation however took a new twist as the drivers inflated the fare from 2000 to 3500 naira per passenger from the camp to Ibadan metropolis, hinging the development to the artificial scarcity of Premium Motor Spirit, PMS in the state
But Mr Oche, whom the corps members refer to as their Father and Ladder, lived up to his responsibility by preventing the drivers from extorting them by insisting that fare from Iseyin to Ibadan metropolis should not be more than 2500 naira
He noted that transport fares were yet to be increased officially inspite of the artificial scarcity and the unofficial hike in the price of PMS across the state
Today, God has given me the privilege to be their father in the state, I must make them laugh and not cry.”
Although some of the drivers drove out of the camp empty in disagreement with the price, fares to other local government areas, including Eruwa, a 45mins drive from Iseyin was reduced from 4000 to 2500 naira, while that of Oyo town was pegged at 2000 from 3500 naira.
Earlier in an address, while declaring the orientation course closed, the Oyo state governor, Engineer Seyi Makinde, represented by the commissioner for youths and sports, Miss Wasilat Adegoke charged the corps members to live as change agents in their respective community of service
Governor Makinde, enjoined them to join hands with the government to stamp out corruption and deploy their expertise and ingenuity to fight the scourge of poverty and economic hardship currently militating against the country.
