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The Ebonyi State University (EBSU), has has approved new transportation fares for commercial motorcycles, tricycles, and buses operating within the university community to ease the burden on students.
This was made possible through the joint efforts of the Dean of Student Affairs of the University, Prof. Emmanuel Ogbaga, and the Students’ Union Government (SUG) led by the President, Comrade Chika Abraham Nwuhuo.
The new fares were adopted on Monday during an expanded meeting involving the university management, student leaders and transport operators at the Office of the Dean of Student Affairs, CAS Campus, Abakaliki. The meeting also resolved to enforce strict compliance with the approved rates.
“Let the students receive some fresh air, because the complaints from these students are much. We have been bearing, we have been listening, we have been receiving, and today we have put all these complaints to an end,” Prof. Ogbaga said.
“For implementation by the operators, be it Keke or Okada, and buses plying Ebonyi State University, having devoted yourself to providing services to the university, especially giving these services to the students, you have to endure some pains.”
“Students will endure some pains, too. So, on this note, the transportation fare will be as follows: Okada riders—Gate to faculties within the university-N200. Gate to Obodo-N300. Gate beyond Obodo: negotiable.”
“Gate with luggage: negotiable. It is negotiable in a way. If the luggage is something that causes inconvenience to the riders— there can be negotiation. But if it is just a student and the operator – that can be tied at the back or carried on the lap- the approved fare stands.”
“Keke operators will convey our students at the following approved fares: CAS to Permanent Site—N700; CAS to Ishieke—N500; CAS to Presco—N400; Presco to Permanent Site—N700; Ishieke to Permanent Site—N300.”
“Bus operators plying Ishieke, Permanent Site, CAS and Presco will charge as follows: Presco to Permanent Site—N400; CAS to Permanent Site—N500; Ishieke to Permanent Site—N200; Presco to CAS—N200; CAS to Ishieke—N400.”
Prof. Ogbaga directed the SUG president to constitute a joint task force comprising student representatives, transport operators and university security personnel to monitor compliance with the approved fares and sanction violators.
He warned that any operator who violates the agreed rates would face disciplinary measures in line with the committee’s recommendations.
In his remarks, the SUG President, Comrade Chika Abraham Nwuhuo, said the decision followed numerous complaints from students over recent increases in transport fares within the university.
He explained that the union engaged the Office of the Dean of Student Affairs to ensure the resolutions would outlive the current SUG administration and remain enforceable by the university.
Nwuhuo said the transport operators accepted the new fare structure after both parties considered prevailing economic realities, including rising fuel prices, while prioritising students’ welfare.
He added that the university and transport operators had agreed to hold periodic meetings to review the fare structure whenever necessary in line with prevailing economic conditions.
The SUG President noted that the initiative was aimed at protecting students, especially newly admitted students, from exploitation while ensuring transport operators receive fair compensation for their services.
