In a groundbreaking move to ease transportation costs for civil servants, the Kaduna State Government has distributed 7,000 motorcycles, including 4,000 electric bikes, to workers across the state.
The initiative, spearheaded by Governor Uba Sani, is the first of its kind in Nigeria and aims to alleviate the financial burden of commuting for public sector employees.
Governor Sani, represented by his deputy, Dr. Hadiza Balarabe, emphasized the importance of supporting civil servants during the flag-off ceremony on Friday. “We recognise that transportation costs can be a significant burden for civil servants. It is our hope that these motorcycles will help alleviate that burden, allowing you to arrive at work early and focus on your tasks,” he stated.
The motorcycles are being provided through a salary-deductible loan scheme in collaboration with the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC), Paynacle Digital Services Limited, and Optimus Bank. The Kaduna State Chairman of the NLC, Comrade Ayuba Magaji, lauded the governor for his commitment to workers’ welfare, saying, “We commend Governor Uba Sani for guaranteeing the financial cover necessary to make this initiative a reality.”
The National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) also announced the purchase of 1,000 electric tricycles for its members, payable over two years. Comrade Hassan Ibrahim, Acting State Secretary of the NURTW, appealed to the state government to sustain the initiative.
One beneficiary, Mrs. Sarah Musa, a civil servant with the Kaduna State Ministry of Education, expressed her gratitude, saying, “This motorcycle will really help me. I used to spend a lot of money on transportation, but now I can use that money for other important things.”
The distribution marks a significant step in improving the lives of Kaduna’s civil servants, offering affordable transportation options and enhancing their overall well-being.