So we need to clear out some structures because these buses are huge and our routes, in some cases, are a bit narrow
Governor Caleb Mutfwang of Plateau, has banned street trading around the Jos Terminus area, to pave way for the commencement of Tincity Metro Bus Service.
Mutfwang, who announced the decision on Wednesday in Jos, said that the buses, newly acquired from Germany, were to help reduce the hardships that the citizens were experiencing as a result of subsidy removal and the rise in the value of the dollar.
The governor spoke through the Secretary to the Government of the State, Mr Samuel Jatau, who is also the Chairman of the Committee on the Actualisation of the Tincity Metro Bus Service.
He said that though the cost of food was very high, one of the critical sectors where people were suffering was the transportation sector.
“So we want to commence that as a palliative, and so we need to start that quickly.
“But we have a few issues that we need to sort out, one of which is why we are here today because you can see how congested the terminus area is.
“So we need to clear out some structures because these buses are huge and our routes, in some cases, are a bit narrow.
“So we need to be able to get them parking spaces and so on.
“That is why we are here; to see how we can partner with the traders to relocate them to a new place so that they can also be comfortable doing their businesses,” he said.
The governor explained that the new location was a temporary measure as the government intended to build markets in neighbourhoods around town in the coming months and years.
Mr Samuel Gwott, the General Manager, Plateau Express Services Limited, who took journalists to see the buses, said that they were commencing the Tincity Metro Bus Service with 14 diesel-powered buses.