Benue State Governor, Hyacinth Alia, has approved a 50 per cent reduction in transport fares for persons with disabilities traveling with the state-owned Benue Links Nigeria Ltd.

The directive, which took immediate effect, was announced in Makurdi over the weekend by the company’s General Manager, Comrade Alexander Fanafa. The move follows Governor Alia’s recent domestication of the national Disability Act in Benue State.

Fanafa commended the administration’s commitment to inclusivity, describing the policy as “responsive and proactive” to the needs of residents. He recalled that before the present administration, Benue Links was largely sustained by leased vehicles. However, operations were revived in November 2023 when Governor Alia donated 100 buses.

“Since then, we have sustained those 100 buses, purchased 10 more buses, and added 10 sedan cars for taxi services,” Fanafa said.

He explained that under the new policy, persons with disabilities will not only pay half the regular fare but also enjoy preferential boarding on Benue Links vehicles. “This instruction is to ensure that people with disabilities are given a sense of belonging in society as far as the transportation system is concerned,” he added.

Fanafa further noted that the expanded fleet and competitive pricing of Benue Links have compelled private operators to lower their fares, making transportation more affordable across the state.