The acute transportation problem which staff and students of the 69 federal tertiary institutions in Nigeria have been facing in the last 30 years is already on the path of becoming history as the Federal Government has procured for them 138 buses worth N2 billion.

The buses, which are branded “Federal Government Mass Transit Support”, comprise of 91 Toyota 30-seater coastal buses, 27 Mercedes MBO 1721 Busscars and 20 Nissan Civilian 30-seater buses.

While speaking in Lagos at the launch of the buses, the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Education, Professor Olagoke Afolabi said the provision of the buses was made a reality through a special presidential initiative to reduce the suffering of the students and staff of the nation’s federal tertiary institutions.

This initiative, according to him, was informed by the serious challenges in mass transportation which the institutions have been contending with.

His words: “In the last three decades, the federal tertiary institutions have been plagued by a pool of unserviceable vehicles amidst the competing demands for funds. The demand for fund in the critical areas of provision of adequate physical infrastructure for these institutions has resulted in a near total neglect of mass transportation arrangements.

This hardship and the resultant loss of comfort and dignity for this social class has prompted Federal Government to decide to provide a palliative through the provision of buses for use on campuses.”

Afolabi stressed the need for all stakeholders,  including the Federal Government, private sector organisations, development partners and other public-spirited individuals to collaborate and improve the funding of tertiary education in the country, explaining that this is necessary because this sub-sector is capital intensive.

While the 27 federal universities would be given one Mercedes MBO 1721 Busscars and one 30-seater bus each, the 21 polytechnics would get two 30-seater buses each and the 21 Colleges of Education would also be given two 30-seater buses each.

The vehicles are provided with comprehensive insurance cover and motor tracking device. According to the Permanent Secretary, consideration was given to local assembly, popularity, strong after-sales back-up, good track record of performance in Nigeria environment, ease of maintenance and availability in selecting the vehicles.

The Director, Tertiary Education of the Federal Ministry of Education, Dr. Jamila Shu’ara said the special intervention of providing mass transit to tertiary institutions is timely, adding that the initiative speaks volume of the determination of the Federal Government to cater for the needs of its tertiary institutions.

Prof. Ignatius Uvah of the National Universities Commission said the intervention will go a long way in quality service delivery in the institutions, adding that quality can only be gotten through availability of resources.

Uvah urged the vice-chancellors, provosts and rectors of the federal tertiary institutions, many of whom were present at the launch, to ensure that the vehicles are put into good use, reiterating that the buses will contribute to the efficiency of the benefitting tertiary institutions.

I wonder whose ACCOMPLISHMENT pile this one will go to . . . lol

Misplaced priority! What good is dis gonna do to education in Nigeria? When will the naked libraries be clothed? When will lecturers' remunerations be upped to attract the good ones and arrest brain drain? When will . . . .?*exhales in frustration* na wah o!

slap1:

Misplaced priority! What good is dis gonna do to education in Nigeria? When will the unclothed libraries be clothed? When will lecturers' remunerations be upped to attract the good ones and arrest brain drain? When will . . . .?*exhales in frustration* na wah o!

i think it will be nice to direct your frustration to uncle jonathan who thinks provision of buses is the most important to the nigeria students.thumb down to him for misplaced priority.

Well its a good step in the wrong direction. It would have been more expedient if N2bn jobs were created. And not N2bn liabilities, brushing aside corruption that would have bedeviled it which of course is d primary resons for implementing it. Afterall electioneering is around d corner dogs would have to eat.

Before two years those buses will be dumped for lack of maintenance.

Distributing buses and yet the schools are not up to standard, and no light for the kids to read for exams . . . . . .

@slap1:Before two years those buses will be dumped for lack of maintenance.

Do they care wether the buses r set ablaze 2moro? They have made whatever gain they wanted to make

@Fhemmmy:Distributing buses and yet the schools are not up to standard, and no light for the kids to read for exams . . . . . .

Is that all, where is the roads to drive em buses? They can't last 9months

Are we all saying that there are no benefits 4 d buses? At least dis wld aid students transportation, if u neva schooled in Nigerias tertiary institutions recently u can not apreciate d solutions dis buses will attempt to provide.
Is d ministry of education suppose to construct roads in the various states where universities are located, are they d ones responsible for power supply and maintenance should be done by d various institutions benefitin frm dis scheme.

This is just a waste of our natural resources; how many students will those buses carry?

Dominoifet:

@slap1:Before two years those buses will be dumped for lack of maintenance.

Do they care wether the buses r set ablaze 2moro? They have made whatever gain they wanted to make

@Fhemmmy:Distributing buses and yet the schools are not up to standard, and no light for the kids to read for exams . . . . . .

Is that all, where is the roads to drive em buses? They can't last 9months

Very good points.
Soon, i am sure some of the workers at the school will sell the bus parts by parts or the driver will at least get something to carry people and make some money

naija sha.we will never change.buses?black sense!

ola olabiy:

naija sha.we will never change.buses?black sense!

Some black sense are great . . . .calla am Nija leadership sense

This will go along way in cushioning the effect of transportation faced by students in these institutions of learning.

the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Education, Professor Olagoke Afolabi  

why is somebody who is not in ivory tower called professor.i mean,he is just a civil servant.not professing anything.why do we like big but unnecessary tittles in nigeria? alhaji,architect,engr,lawyer,accountant----all these are simply misters.NAIJA!

Fhemmmy:

Distributing buses and yet the schools are not up to standard, and no light for the kids to read for exams . . . . . .

So because the schools are nt up to standard, good transportation should not be provided? Why do we always expect the decadence of 50 yrs to be arrested in one day? Its a gradual thing!

beewhyfocs:

So because the schools are nt up to standard, good transportation should not be provided? Why do we always expect the decadence of 50 yrs to be arrested in one day? Its a gradual thing!

Where are the roads to drive those buses. . . . . .
What a waste of money to drive such buses on bad pot hole ridden roads and mess them up within weeks . . . .does that make sense to you?

this is the issue nigerians have. dont do anything, they complain, when something is done, they still complain.

Mekzie:

This will go along way in cushioning the effect of transportation faced by students in these institutions of learning.

I wish i cld say same . . . . .But i think it is misplaced of importance

blackmann:

this is the issue nigerians have. dont do anything, they complain, when something is done, they still complain.

We Nigerians ( Since yu are not one ) complains, when what is done is stupidity.

Mekzie:

This will go along way in cushioning the effect of transportation faced by students in these institutions of learning.

That is if the Senior Staffs at the various schools do not convert these buses to their private properties.

next, after deregulation, Fed Govt Distributes diesel to tertiary Institutions,

blackmann:

this is the issue nigerians have. dont do anything, they complain, when something is done, they still complain.

I don't believe you make a clue what issues your country has, by your statement above.

those buses are certainly not the needed solution to naija's failing educational system.Its anoda excuse 2 inflate a contract 4 personal gains

mrkoma2012:

those buses are certainly not the needed solution to naija's failing educational system.Its anoda excuse 2 inflate a contract 4 personal gains

Nigeria for you.

@marvix
Quote
:Are we all saying that there are no benefits 4 d buses? At least dis wld aid students transportation, if u neva schooled in Nigerias tertiary institutions recently u can not apreciate d solutions dis buses will attempt to provide.Is d ministry of education suppose to construct roads in the various states where universities are located, are they d ones responsible for power supply and maintenance should be done by d various institutions benefitin frm dis scheme.

Scheme!!! Did u say its a scheme? Yes it is. Dubious scheme.

Yes agreed that the students r facing transportation probs. But the probs facing students the most is that of jobs. They keep thinking after all the stress of getting this cert. It would b calamity after passing out and roaming the streets endlessly in search of the jobs and opportunities that don't exist.

Think about it, many has passed out of these institutions under these conditions and yet for years no job. I know of some 10yrs no job. What should b of more priority than that- BUSES?!!!. Wtf

To do list for Nigeria
1. Create jobs
2. Equip schools with up-to-date educational books
3. Let there b light
4. Motorable roads
5. Infrastructures
6
7
8

Why am I wasting my time listing, is it that they don't know all these?

~Bluetooth:

i think it will be nice to direct your frustration to uncle jonathan who thinks provision of buses is the most important to the nigeria students.thumb down to him for misplaced priority.

do you think that it takes 2 months of being in office to award contracts at mda level, approve same at d fec level, and implement same? this contract was awarded last year under yaradua; i.e. when egwu was minister; those in d know wud tell you how much was gained from this purchase contract; jos a big conduit, about 45% profit must have been made by the contractor: i think it's totally uncalled for because universities on their own have been acquiring buses and cars for their use!!

Gunnaz007:

do you think that it takes 2 months of being in office to award contracts at mda level, approve same at d fec level, and implement same? this contract was awarded last year under yaradua; i.e. when egwu was minister; those in d know wud tell you how much was gained from this purchase contract; jos a big conduit, about 45% profit must have been made by the contractor: i think it's totally uncalled for because universities on their own have been acquiring buses and cars for their use!!

Kick back at its best

the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Education, Professor Olagoke Afolabi

why is somebody who is not in ivory tower called professor.i mean,he is just a civil servant.not professing anything.why do we like big but unnecessary tittles in nigeria? alhaji,architect,engr,lawyer,accountant----all these are simply misters.NAIJA!

word

Gunnaz007:

do you think that it takes 2 months of being in office to award contracts at mda level, approve same at d fec level, and implement same? this contract was awarded last year under yaradua; i.e. when egwu was minister; those in d know wud tell you how much was gained from this purchase contract; jos a big conduit, about 45% profit must have been made by the contractor: i think it's totally uncalled for because universities on their own have been acquiring buses and cars for their use!!

Correction: You are still under Yar adua, only now his deputy is the one taking turns now that he is not at the helm of things.

Kobojunkie:

Correction: You are still under Yar adua, only now his deputy is the one taking turns now that he is not at the helm of things.

Well said.

Until i don't get to be driven either from or into the school by these buses,i must say its a good development