Public transporters running ‘town service’ in Edo State particularly in Benin metropolis have been warned not to load more than two passengers per seat, as they were mandated not to allow more than a passenger in their front seat.
They were also warned not to increase transport fare as a result of the new policy.
Kelly Okogbowa, Vice Chairman, Edo State taskforce on implementation of prohibition of large gathering and maintenance of social distancing, gave the warning on Friday in Benin while addressing a set of public transporters.
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He noted that with a view to curbing the spread of Coronavirus in the state, the state government has mandated all transporters not to allow more than two passengers in a seat and one passenger at the front seat, warning that anyone caught doing contrary would be arrested and prosecuted accordingly.
When asked if the transporters are allowed to increase their fare as a result of the decrease in number of passengers, Okogbowa said no driver is allowed to increase transport fare because fuel price has reduced and the state government has suspended ‘ticket’ (money paid daily by transporters to government’s purse)
“You are are to load two passengers at the back seat, two passengers at the middle seat and one passenger at the front seat. If you load more than this requirement, you will be arrested and be prosecuted accordingly.
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“The state government wants to curb the spread of Coronavirus so this is how it will be for now.
“You are not paying for ticket, that has been suspended. Fuel price has drop, so you are not expected to increase your price. You have no reason to inflate transport fare because what could have led you to do so had been addressed by the government. And so, you are expected to charge the old price”, he said.
Accroding to him, the state government is doing everything possible in order to make sure people adhere to social distancing and gathering of not more than 20 persons.
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(PHOTO: File)
