From Jude Dangwam, Jos
The atmosphere at the old Government House in Jos, the state capital, was fully charged as residents of the state and government officials, among other dignitaries, gathered to witness the inauguration of another set of metro buses by Governor Caleb Mutfwang. Dateline: June 12.
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This is part of Mutfwang’s drive to change the failed public transport system in the state as well as his firm resolve to revitalise the legacies of the late Joseph Gomwalk, among which is the Plateau Express Services, a public transport system that was neglected in the past.
The inauguration of the 15 metro buses, making a total of 30 brand new buses operating across the Greater Jos metropolis, is to further address the challenges of transportation of residents in the face of the harsh economic realities confronting the country.
The public mass transit scheme has metro bus with over 50 sitting capacity each and capable of moving over 9,000 people every day at a cheap rate of N200 per a drop, no matter the distance, as long as it falls within the area of coverage by the buses.
Mutfwang gave an insight into the concept of the public mass transit for the state. He said: “This is a very important day for us that we are seeing the revival of one of the legacy institutions of Plateau State by our founding fathers.
“Plateau Express Service began many years ago and it has gone through a lot of challenges and I’m proud to say that the last time Plateau Express Service working for Plateau people was under the last PDP administration. And here again as PDP government, we are proud to key into the initiative of the President.
“When Mr President came in, he charged us governors to make sure we do all we can to alleviate the suffering of the people, especially with the removal of fuel subsidy and we thought that one of the key sectors that will have impact on lives of our people is the transport sector; iit is a critical sector of our live.
“Today, we are commissioning functional transport system within the metropolis which is benefiting the people greatly. I recall seeing the video of the applauses, the joy, the dances in celebration by citizens of the state when these buses were turning into the town. It gives me energy that we will do more for the people of Plateau State.”
Mutfwang said with a positive and patriotic leadership in place, ministries, departments and agencies can function optimally within government institutions.
“What we have seen from the leadership and management of Plateau Express Service is that institution rise and fall because of leadership. So, with clear and patriotic leadership, every institution of government on the Plateau can be revived.
“Today, we have revived Plateau Express Service, we are reviving ASTC, we are reviving Panyam Fish Farm, we are reviving JIB, we are reviving Plateau Hotel, we are reviving Hill Station Hotel, we are also reviving the Jos Wildlife Park, the Abattoir and list goes on and on. Let me tell Plateau people that we have not started yet.”
The commissioning ceremony was spectacular as the first female driver of the metro buses, Miss Nanbam Luka, who was recognised for manning the wheels in an area often considered to be male dominated. Little did the governor realise that the female driver was one of the people he sent for training at Peugeot Automobile some years back when he was the chairman of Mangu local government area of the state.
The governor promised to also give adequate attention to areas the girl-child in the state will stand out at all time and place Plateau State on the global map.
“This ceremony also had the presentation of of an award to the first female driver of the Metro buses. This is commendable and exciting.
“I recall that while as a local government chairman, I sent nine boys and three girls for training at Peugeot Automobile and today, they are in various fields of endeavours. Little did I know that one of the girls was rediscovered and rewarded for her strides today.
“We are going to continue to promote the industry of the girl child and make sure our girls are to be able to function for themselves, their families and the society,” the governor further said.
Mutfwang countered some narratives against the reform and innovation into the state public transport system as an intervention by the federal government and also the buses were second-hand buses.
He said: “These buses were purchased brand new and not tokunbo as some people are peddling around. They were purchased out of the allocation of Plateau State. It is not a grant, it is not a federal government donation but it is from the legitimate constitutional resources that come to Plateau that we are able to prudently manage and allocate to this sector.
“That means we have to deny the many MDAs to concentrate on this sector. We could have bought brand new vehicles for the ministries, departments and agencies but we thought it is better for the people to have new ones while we continue to revive other MDAs.
“We are beginning to plan towards Plateau Express Metro 3.0. I can see that Plateau Express Service is expanding into a conglomerate, venturing into other areas. I hereby commission and present these buses to Plateau people and to those handling them.
“To those using them, be patriotic. We must cultivate the culture of maintenance while users respect the buses and workers must take care of the buses by that way they will last long and we will not be spending much.”
The governor however made shocking revelations, “Let us be security conscious. When these buses came in, some people wanted to come and burn the buses where they were parked. That is not necessary; we are not into competition or killing anybody’s business. What is good for the people must be respected. So, everybody must be security conscious. By that, we can protect these buses for future generations to come.”
The Group Managing Director/CEO, Plateau Express Services, Hon. Samuel Gwot, in his welcome remarks at the commissioning/launch of Tin City Metro 2.0 recalled the challenges encountered by residents and members of staff of the agency on the innovation and transformation of the transport sector by the Mutfwang administration one year ago.
He said: “When we launched the first 15 buses, many were skeptical. They said, ‘let’s wait and see. It won’t survive three months.’ But here we are, 15 buses still running strong, moving over 9,000 people every single day.
“Some laughed at our travel card initiative, N3,000 seemed like a big deal to some. They said, ‘who will pay that for a card?’. But sir, today, we have recorded nearly 60,000 active cardholders, and the demand is rising every week, a clear sign that people are ready for structure when it’s sincere.
“Exactly one year ago, I stood on a podium like this grateful and determined because you believed in me, Your Excellency. And today, I return, not with empty words, but with evidence of what that belief has produced.
“Your Excellency, it will interest you to know that there was some confusion about the ownership of this project. Some thought the buses were from federal interventions or donors. But today, with all due respect, I want to set the record straight. Both Phase 1 and now Phase 2 of Tin City metro nuses were 100%, funded, and delivered by your administration: the Time Is Now government.”
The group managing director also shared a personal testimony that captured what he described as the prophetic leadership of the governor. “Long before this moment, when you were still serving with Peugeot Automobile Nigeria (PAN), you mentored, you taught, and you planted seeds. One of those seeds, Ms. Luka Nanbam, is now our first female metro driver and the first female driver in the 35 years history of Plateau Express.
“Women’s inclusion in political leadership in Nigeria is a significant issue, with women remaining underrepresented in both elected and appointed positions. While there have been efforts to promote women’s participation, challenges persist due to sociocultural norms, systemic barriers, and lack of political will.
“Your Excellency we can see your deep passion and political will for the inclusion of women in governance and political leadership as seen in your cabinet and we wanted to key into this as well,” he remarked.
With the new metro buses in place, new routes were also open. Mr. Gwot explained further: “As we commission these next 15 buses, we are opening 15 new doors of opportunities. TIin City Metro 2.0 is connecting Zawan to Heipang, Bukuru to Vom, Polo to Rukuba, Kugiya to JUTH.
“We are bringing mothers closer to markets, students closer to classrooms, and workers closer to their dreams. These new buses will reduce the congestion in the buses presently experienced and reduce waiting time for our commuters. We plan to move between 18,000 to 20, 000 commuters daily.”
The metro buses are also “equipped each with CCTV cameras, smart payment systems, audio advertising tools to empower local businesses. And our very own Tincity Metro 2.0 travel card, now integrated across multiple platforms
“The features of the Tincity Metro 2.0 travel card include: Mobile App with quick on-boarding, top-up anytime and anywhere, card management suite, QR code-based alternative payment, real- time bus tracking, Instant access for visitors and tourists, AI driven insights
“As we unveil TInCity Metro 2.0 we are already anticipating the launch of TinCity Metro 3.0 which will connect other local government areas to Jos in a safe, comfortable and affordable bus service. We will explore agro logistics business on a larger scale to key into this administration’s massive investment and revolution in the agricultural sector.”
Gwot, who is one among the youngest political appointees in the Mutfwang administration, was full of gratitude for the opportunity given to him to showcase his potential in the best interests of Plateau State. “For us, the young political appointees in government, you (Mutfwang) are not just a leader and a mentor but a father indeed.
“You have fulfilled what the scriptures said in the book of Psalms 127: ‘As arrows are in the hand of a mighty man; so are children of the youth. Happy is the man that hath his quiver full of them: they shall not be ashamed, but they shall speak with the enemies in the gate.’ May God bless you, and may God bless Plateau State.”
Some residents of the state commended Mutfwang for his people-oriented developmental programmes spread across various sectors in the last two years of his administration.
Mrs. Elizabeth Sunday, a 28 year-old trader, who sells fruits at the popular Civil Service Club around the Hill Station Junction told Daily Sun: “That man (governor) is really trying, unlike what we had before now.
“The governor has done remarkably well in reorganizing the state capital and I like it. The environment now looks so beautiful. Before, I used to stay by the main road selling my fruits. We were told to move back to this present place I’m staying and people keep saying the setting looks even more beautiful than it was.
“Over the years that I have been staying closer to the road doing my business, sometimes you will see that a vehicle failed break and the next thing you will see people running for their lives and we too had to run. The vehicle will destroy our property because we are too close to the road. But now, it is not like that. Sincerely, for me, I’m very okay with the man.
“If you look at the transportation system now in the state capital like the metro buses, it has helped some of us a lot, not to talk of those new vehicles that goes to places like Abuja and Lagos, among others. I never believed that we can get something good like this. The man has proven many people wrong already.
“If you go round now, you will see a lot of road that have been constructed or rehabilitated. Some road were so bad before. But you can see the roads are even making the city look beautiful too. That man is well loved by Plateau people, sincerely speaking.”
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