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Transporters cry foul over alleged diversion of N10bn COVID-19 bailout

There is growing discontent among transport operators over reported disbursement of N10bn funds promised them by the Federal Government to ease the effects of last year’s prolonged COVID-19 lockdown on their business.
While the Federal Government claimed to have released the money to transporters, luxury bus owners and city bus operators said none of them had received the intervention funds.
The transport operators said they had continued to wait for the funds in vain after submitting documents to the Federal Government for verification as requested.
PTONA had earlier in 2020 estimated a loss of about N200bn in revenue just in 10 weeks of the lockdown.
Another major operator who spoke under anonymity said that when they approached the Federal Ministry of Transportation, they were directed to the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment.
On getting to the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, the source disclosed that they were told that the money had been disbursed to Keke-Napep riders
Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria also claimed its members had not benefited from the fund.
Confirming their position, the National President of RTEAN, Alhaji Musa Muhammed, said he was not aware of the funds disbursement.
“I am not aware of any N10bn palliative. We have not seen anything. The only money which some of our members got was the N30,000 MSME fund and not many people got the money,” Muhammed said.
It was learnt that among the operators who have been asked to submit documents for verification were the interstate luxury bus operators under the aegis of the PTONA.
Having lost billions of naira due to the 98-day lockdown due to the COVID-19 pandemic, they had expected they would deploy the palliative to beef up their business but they are yet to benefit.
In a letter dated March 28, 2021 addressed to the Minister of State for Transportation,
Gbemisola Saraki, and signed by the Deputy President, Emeka Mamah, the group pleaded for the verification of two key issues as it concerned the funds.
First, PTONA asked the minister to correct apparent confusion in treating the N10 billion covid-19 palliative fund approved for Road Transporters as MSME Survival fund domiciled with the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment.
The group also asked for immediate disbursement of the N10bn COVID-19 palliative fund to their members to prevent imminent collapse of interstate passenger transport companies in Nigeria.
According to PTONA, efforts made to secure an appointment to pay a working visit to the minister to discuss issues relating to the undue delay in disbursing the funds to road transporters was not granted.
“However, in your reply to our letter dated 3rd March, 2021 (a copy is attached) our request for the visit was neither approved nor rejected. On the contrary, you simply advised our association to redirect its inquiry regarding the fund to the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade & Investment since the intervention fund for the transport sector had been released to the ministry by the Federal Government,” the group stated in the letter.
Lamenting further, PTONA insisted that the N10 billion Covid-19 palliatives fund approved by the Federal was totally different from the N60 billion MSME Survival Fund domiciled with the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, adding that “the N10 billion COVID-19 Palliative Fund was meant to assist road transporters to resuscitate their businesses that were on negative income throughout the 14 weeks that the country was on complete lockdown for all interstate passenger movement due to Covid-19 Pandemic.”
“On the other hand, an aspect of the N60 billion MSME Survival Fund domiciled with the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment is a one-off grant designed to support vulnerable Micro Small and Medium Enterprises in meeting up their salary obligations under the Federal Government’s National Economic Sustainability Plan (NESP),” PITONA added.
Several efforts were made to reach the Director of Press in the Federal Ministry of Transportation, Mr Eric Ojiekwe, but he neither answered his calls nor responded to a text message sent to his phone.
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FCT traffic service confirms sale of number plates by touts

FCT traffic service confirms sale of number plates by touts
The Directorate of Road Traffic Services (DRTS), Federal Capital Territory (FCT), yesterday advised residents not to patronise touts in registering their vehicles.
A statement by the Director, DRTS, Abdulateef Bello said: “ The Directorate of Road Traffic Services (DRTS), Federal Capital Territory (FCT), wishes to inform the general public that the current scarcity of vehicle number plates in the FCT is due to irregular and insufficient supply from the National Vehicle Identification Scheme (NVIS) Plant and efforts are ongoing to remedy the situation.
“We also wish to draw the attention of the motoring public to the activities of fraudsters impersonating DRTS officials in the attempt to take advantage of the situation to exploit vehicle owners.
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“The DRTS firmly disassociates itself from these illegal activities and strongly caution members of the public against dealing with any individual either staff or agent who claim to be in position of number plates outside what is uploaded in the DRTS self-service portal (https://selfservice.fctevreg.com).
“Moreover, in order to ensure transparency, the approved costs of number plates and related services are readily available on our official communication platforms, and particularly our website.
“The Directorate therefore encourages the public to stick and insist on the stipulated prices.
‘‘In collaboration with the Security Agencies, the Directorate has intensified efforts to bring these impostors to justice.’’
“We urge the public to report suspicious individuals or illegal activities to the Management of the DRTS. The DRTS remains steadfast in its commitment to delivering transparent, efficient, and accountable services to the motoring public”.
FCT traffic service confirms sale of number plates by touts
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Easter travels: ABC Transport injects 2025 Toyota Hiace buses into operations

Easter travels: ABC Transport injects 2025 Toyota Hiace buses into operations
Ahead of Easter, ABC Transport Plc has added a fleet of brand new, 2025 model Toyota Hiace buses to its operations.
This, it said in a statement, was a strategic move to enhance customer satisfaction and operational reliability.
It aligns with the company’s mission of providing safer, more reliable, and comfortable travel experiences, particularly during the busy Easter season.
The new vehicles, which are equipped with state-of-the-art GPS trackers and speed limiter devices, are part of ABC Transport’s historic culture of prioritising passenger safety.
These features, which are standard across the company’s entire fleet, allow for real-time monitoring and ensure adherence to safe driving practices.
Apart from the fleet upgrade, ABC Transport recently concluded its quarterly Pre-Peak Season Crew Seminar, aimed at reinforcing the company’s commitment to safety, maintenance, and customer service ethics.
It said the seminar provided a platform to engage all crew members, focusing on best practices in vehicle handling, passenger care, and emergency preparedness.
Speaking on the importance of these initiatives, Managing Director of ABC Transport Plc, Mr. Jude Nneji, said, “Safety and service excellence are at the heart of everything we do at ABC Transport.
“The addition of these modern vehicles, coupled with our crew’s enhanced training, ensures that passengers can travel with peace of mind and enjoy an exceptional travel experience, even during the high-demand Easter season.”
The 2025 Toyota Hiace buses, known for their durability and fuel efficiency, also feature air-conditioned interiors and spacious seating, making them ideal for long-distance travel.
Designed to handle Nigeria’s road conditions, these vehicles further solidify ABC Transport’s reputation as a leader in the intercity transport sector.
Industry analysts view this dual approach—upgrading fleet technology and investing in human capital—as a testament to ABC Transport’s commitment to staying ahead of the curve.
This is also in line with the trend of new fleet injections and investments that have been noticed at ABC Transport since late last year following the acquisition of over 50 heavy duty trucks in their Haulage and Logistics subsidiaries as well as wide adoption of CNG in its Haulage division.
ABC Transport Plc is Nigeria’s foremost provider of intercity and regional transport services, known for its focus on innovation, safety, and customer satisfaction.
It is also the most diversified and only publicly quoted transport company in Nigeria listed on the Nigerian Stock exchange.
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Massilia Motors launches new Mitsubishi L200 with low fuel consumption, advanced engineering

Massilia Motors launches new Mitsubishi L200 with low fuel consumption, advanced engineering
L-R: CFAO Nigeria Country Delegate, Mr. Regis Tromeur; GMD/CEO, Kewalram Chanrai Group, Mr Siva Subramaniam; Deputy Managing Director, CFAO Mobility, Mr. Kunle Jaiyesimi; Managing Director of Massilia Motors, Olivier Lamoure; and General Manager, Sales, Massilia Motors, Mr. Tunji Itiola at the launching of the All-New Mitsubishi L 200 at Eko Atlantic, Lagos …on Friday, April 11, 2025
The all-new Mitsubishi L200 pickup, a 2025 edition, has been formally unveiled in Nigeria, courtesy of Massilia Motors.
Massilia Motors, the sole distributor of Mitsubishi brand of vehicles in the country and a joint venture with CFAO Mobility, says the new L200 pickup is coming with low fuel consumption, advanced engineering and ultra-tough characteristics, making it a versatile vehicle for various terrains and conditions.
The unveiling event took place at Eko Atlantic, Victoria Island, Lagos, where guests had the opportunity to experience the new pickup firsthand.
The new L200, already recognized worldwide and well-known in Nigeria, has been completely redefined in this latest model.
It features advanced engineering and ultra-tough characteristics, making it a versatile vehicle for various terrains and conditions.
The L200 is equipped with an All-New Chassis frame for improved ride and handling; lessen noise and vibration; durability; anti-corrosion; crash safety; better body size and wider interior.
The chassis frame is built with high-tensile materials to withstand tough terrain and ensure reliable performance in any condition, complemented by a redesigned suspension system.
Inside, the L200 is designed for comfort, even during long trips, with advanced technology and a thoughtfully crafted living space, according to Massilia.
The new suspension fine tune has some unique features that include Front – Double wishbone that is optimized longer stroke by geometry; Rear – Leaf spring (3 layers) with less friction.
The vehicle, powered by a six-speed manual gearbox on a 2.4-litre petrol engine, features a distinctive grille and appearance, and has won several awards, including the 2024-2025 Japan Car of the Year Design Award.
Built on inherited Pajero DNA with 4WD performance for reliability and ruggedness, Mitsubishi’s Anti-lock braking system (ABS) and Electronic Brake Force Distribution applies brake force while cornering to maintain vehicle stability and optimize traction, preventing torque loss.
The system adjusts engine output and applies brake force to spinning wheels as needed, always ensuring driver safety.
Mitsubishi has also focused on driver and passenger comfort with newly designed seats inspired by their rally heritage, providing excellent body support.
The upgraded air-conditioning system offers adjustable airflow for personalized comfort. Ample storage space and a bucket space of up to 2340mm x 1580mm makes it ideal for various tasks.
Other interior features include a 9-inch infotainment system and a new 7-inch multi-information display and outstanding cabin comfort because of better head and leg room for passengers.
The vehicle is designed to provide slip-resistant footing for safe and easy entry and exit, even in wet or slippery conditions.
The rear bumper corner allows for more foot space when the tailgate is open, featuring the largest step area in its segment.
Managing Director of Massilia Motors, Olivier Lamoure, highlighted the fact that the new L200 comes with lower fuel consumption aided by improved Aero Dynamics with roof and rear spoiler combination.
Another striking feature of the new vehicle is its enhanced cargo and payload capacity with improved turning radius of 6.2m from 5.9m, as well as higher ground clearance from 200mm to 212mm all to guarantee better driver manoeuvrability.
Lamoure added, “At Massilia Motors, it is important for us to give the keys to the customer so they can personally test the vehicle and share their impressions.
“Whether for personal use or for their business, performance and reliability are proven in the field, not in a showroom. This hands-on approach allows customers to truly experience the vehicle’s capabilities.”
Massilia Motors says it also offers prospective customers free test drive which can be booked via www.mitsubishi-motors.com.ng , where further information about the vehicle can also be obtained.
The L200 has a rich history, tracing its roots back to the Forte launched in 1978. Over the past 47 years, about 5.7 million units have been produced across five generations and sold in approximately 150 countries. The latest model continues this legacy with its high-rigidity RISE body, designed to absorb energy and minimize cabin deformation in the event of a crash.
The L200 has also received international accolades, including a five-star rating from Latin NCAP and recognition at the 2024 Arab Car of the Year awards, where it was named “Best Mid-size Pickup”.
Massilia names variants available for the Nigerian market as the Double Cab and Single Cab, adding that it offers genuine spare parts, after-sales services, and a warranty of three years or 100,000km.
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