Governor of Bayelsa State Douye Diri on Wednesday unveiled a new transport scheme in a bid to alleviate the suffering of commuters in the state occasioned by the federal government’s removal of fuel subsidy.

Diri, who inaugurated 100 cabs and six luxury buses at the DSP Alamieyeseigha Memorial Banquet Hall premises on Wednesday, said the initiative was his administration’s palliative to boost the transportation sector.

The governor in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Daniel Alabrah, acknowledged the hardship on Bayelsans due to the removal of the subsidy on petrol.

He also reaffirmed that the restriction on commercial tricycles at night was still in force and that the taxis and buses were an effective replacement.

Diri, who said his Prosperity Administration had completed and inaugurated the Bayelsa State Transport Terminal started by his predecessor, stressed that the launch of the transport scheme will make the terminal functional.

Diri said, “This is another historic day as we launch this fleet of transport vehicles to alleviate the suffering of our people.

“For those who have been crying over the ban on commercial tricycles at night, this is an effective replacement. The ban is however still in force.

“Now, we have taxis that will run within the city of Yenagoa and environs to the Niger Delta University at Amassoma, to the airport and the Federal University, Otuoke and other towns.

“I appreciate all Bayelsans for their patience. You know that your government has your welfare at heart.”

He called on youths of the state to take full advantage of the initiative to empower themselves just as he projected that over 100 youths would be engaged as drivers in the intra-state and intra-city transport scheme.

While handing over the keys of the vehicles to General Manager of the Bayelsa State Transport Company, (BSTC) Timi Fanama, the governor stressed that the new arrangement will be different from previous government’s transport initiatives in the state and urged the management to make good use of the vehicles to enhance the transport system.

On his part, the BSTC General Manager, Timi Fanama, urged youths to avail themselves of the scheme and see driving as a career.

In a welcome address, the Commissioner for Transport, Grace Ekiotene, appreciated the governor for inaugurating the scheme to cushion the effect of the hardship faced by Bayelsans as a result of the subsidy removal.