Zamfara Rolls Out 50 Subsidised Buses, Deploys Modern Fire Trucks in Bold Push for Mobility and Safety
Zamfara State Governor, Dauda Lawal, has unveiled a major public welfare intervention with the distribution of 50 subsidised buses to the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) and the commissioning of five modern fire trucks, in a strategic move to address transportation challenges and strengthen emergency response across the state.
The official handover ceremony, held on Wednesday at the Government House in Gusau, attracted key stakeholders, including leaders of the transport union, fire service officials, and top government functionaries.
Governor Lawal disclosed that the buses were procured under the Zamfara State Loan Scheme, a structured financing initiative designed to promote economic empowerment while ensuring sustainability through cost recovery. Each bus costs ₦27,390,000, with the state government covering 20 percent—₦5,478,000 per vehicle—as subsidy to ease the burden on beneficiaries.
Under the arrangement, each NURTW beneficiary will repay ₦21,912,000 over a 44-month period, with repayment commencing immediately upon allocation. The NURTW is expected to play a central role in the implementation, including identifying eligible members, supervising vehicle usage, and ensuring strict adherence to repayment terms—an approach aimed at minimising defaults and sustaining the scheme.
In a parallel intervention, the governor also commissioned five state-of-the-art fire trucks to boost the operational capacity of the Zamfara State Fire Service. The trucks, equipped with modern firefighting technology, are expected to significantly reduce response times during emergencies across the state.
Governor Lawal emphasised the urgency of strengthening fire response infrastructure, noting the devastating impact of fire outbreaks on lives and livelihoods.
“We are aware that fire outbreaks can destroy homes, shops, and livelihoods in seconds,” he said. “These new fire trucks, equipped to modern standards, will enhance the fire service’s ability to respond swiftly across all parts of the state.”
He further charged the leadership of the Fire Service to prioritise personnel training, conduct regular public fire safety awareness campaigns, and maintain the equipment to ensure optimal performance at all times.
The governor stressed that all assets distributed under the initiative belong to the people of Zamfara and must be handled responsibly. He directed all benefiting Ministries, Departments, Agencies, and individual beneficiaries to submit quarterly reports on maintenance and utilisation to their respective oversight bodies.
Issuing a stern warning, Lawal declared that “vandalism, misuse, or diversion will not be tolerated,” reinforcing his administration’s commitment to transparency and accountability.
He described the intervention as part of a broader agenda to revitalise the state’s transportation sector, create sustainable economic opportunities for transport workers, and enhance public safety. While the subsidised buses are expected to ease commuting costs and improve livelihoods, the deployment of modern fire trucks is aimed at reducing the devastating effects of fire incidents in both urban and rural communities.
With the handover completed, the NURTW is expected to commence allocation of the buses to qualified members in the coming days, while the Fire Service will deploy the new trucks to strategic locations across the state.
The government has pledged close monitoring through its quarterly reporting framework, warning that defaulters and violators will face appropriate sanctions. The initiative stands as one of the most significant interventions in Zamfara’s transport and emergency services sectors under Governor Lawal’s administration, with stakeholders keenly observing its impact on the lives of residents.
