Vice-President Kashim Shettima has said the Federal Government will support families of victims of recent stampedes across the country.

Shettima made this known in a condolence message on Sunday in Abuja.

He expressed sorrow over the losses and offered prayers and condolences to the affected families.

Recall that on Saturday in Okija, Anambra, a Christmas palliative distribution event turned tragic with 22 persons losing their lives in an early morning stampede.

The same day in Abuja, another tragedy struck when ten persons died during an annual Christmas food-sharing event at Holy Trinity Catholic Church, Maitama.

There was also a stampede on Wednesday at the Islamic High School, Bashorun, Ibadan, Oyo State, where about 35 children lost their lives and others sustained injuries during a holiday fun fair.

The vice-president, who described the incidents as a national tragedy, revealed that the Federal Government had directed relevant agencies to provide immediate support to affected families.

“I am extremely saddened by these tragic incidents that have claimed innocent lives.

“My prayers and thoughts are with the grieving families of all victims, including those who sustained injuries and are undergoing treatment.

“I am particularly distraught by the fact that so many lives of Nigerians, particularly children, have been lost in stampedes that ought to have been avoided through proper planning and organisation,” he said.

He prayed the Almighty God to grant eternal rest to the souls of the departed.

“We stand ready to support the bereaved families through this difficult period, and no effort will be spared in providing the necessary assistance they need.”

The Association of Telecommunications Companies of Nigeria has called on industry regulators to implement clear and practical solutions to resolve the long-standing N250bn debt owed by banks to telecom operators for Unstructured Supplementary Service Data offerings.

Speaking with The PUNCH, ATCON President Tony Emoekpere stressed the need for clear solutions, warning that the debt crisis threatens the progress of financial inclusion in the country.

In Nigeria, USSD is vital for financial inclusion, particularly in rural areas where smartphone penetration and internet access are limited.

It is heavily relied upon by banks, especially for mobile banking services, and is also used for services like airtime top-ups, bill payments, and other telecom services.

“My advice is that it is crucial for this debt to be addressed directly and for a solution to be found. If telcos are not encouraged to support the financial industry and such debts continue to accumulate, it will be detrimental to financial inclusion targets,” he said.

Emoekpere also highlighted the importance of prioritizing USSD traffic and creating incentives for telecom operators to continue supporting the financial sector.

He urged industry regulators, including the Nigerian Communications Commission and the Central Bank of Nigeria, to establish a framework that ensures the timely and equitable resolution of such disputes.

The debt crisis has persisted for years, with telecom operators threatening to suspend USSD services unless payments are made.

While smaller banks have reportedly begun repaying their obligations in installments, tier-one lenders—responsible for the bulk of the debt—are yet to make significant payments, according to the Chairman of the Association of Licensed Telecom Operators of Nigeria, Gbenga Adebayo.

“Some repayments have been recorded, but they fall short of expectations,” Adebayo told The PUNCH in November.

Telecom operators have long argued that the unpaid debts undermine their ability to maintain USSD services, which are critical for financial transactions in Nigeria.

The operators have repeatedly called for the intervention of regulators to facilitate a lasting resolution.

Industry stakeholders warn that failure to resolve the debt crisis could jeopardize efforts to expand financial inclusion, particularly in rural areas where USSD services play a pivotal role.

The proposed 50 per cent interstate transport fare price slash by the Federal Government, initially planned to commence on December 20, 2024, may now begin on December 24, The PUNCH reports.

The slash is targeted at cushioning high transport costs during the Yuletide.

Recall that the Federal Government through the Ministry of Transportation last Thursday announced that it had agreed with stakeholders in the road transport sector to support Nigerians who will be travelling during the Yuletide.

The government said it would pay 50 per cent of their transport fare of the travellers, as it commenced free rail transportation for citizens on December 20, 2024.

This gesture, according to the Director of Press and Public Relations, Federal Ministry of Transportation, Olujimi Oyetomi, was part of a broader effort of President Bola Tinubu to provide transportation palliatives for Nigerians celebrating the Christmas and New Year.

Oyeyemi said the agreement was signed between the Federal Government and key transport stakeholders, including; the National Union of Road Transport Workers, the Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria, and the Association of Luxurious Bus Owners of Nigeria, among others.

The ministry’s publicist explained that in the arrangement, passengers departing from Abuja and Lagos (Oshodi) to various destinations across the country would pay only half the usual fare.

On Sunday, one of our correspondents gathered that the 50 per cent road price slash would have started on December 20, but did not due to some issues with documentation which are currently being resolved.

A senior official in the transportation ministry who spoke in confidence due to lack of authorisation to speak on the matter stated that while the rail was targeted at lifting 340,000 Nigerians during and after the Yuletide, information on the road transportation gesture remained sketchy.

“The minister will most likely unveil the scheme tomorrow (Monday) at the Eagles Square and detailed information on the development will be given accordingly.

“We were supposed to commence on the (December) 20th but for some imperfection. By God’s grace, it should commence on Tuesday. But the MoU and others have been adequately signed.”

When contacted, the Chief Executive Officer of God is Good Motors, Enahoro Ekhae, confirmed signing the MoU, but noted that the scheme had yet to start.

“Yes, we indeed signed an MoU but we are yet to start the implementation,” he said.

When asked about the reason for the delay he replied, “It is the government that can tell that. We as GIGM, will commence once we agree with the government to start.”

Meanwhile it was gathered from the Federal Ministry of Finance on Sunday that the initiative was delayed due to funding challenges.

The programme, which was expected to commence on December 20, had been stalled as transport unions await payments promised under the scheme.

Impeccable sources at the finance ministry told one of our correspondents that efforts to secure funds from the were ongoing, with stakeholders optimistic about a resolution in the coming days.

The initiative, which aims to provide subsidised transportation through partnerships with transport unions, was to commence at the Eagle Square in Abuja but failed to take off.

“We have signed the MoU, but the thing is that the minister is of the opinion that the transport unions ought to get their money before they start so that we can have accurate records,” a source at the finance ministry stated

“The thing is that the transportation minister has been going to the finance ministry to get the money, which includes that of the rail.”

While the rail component of the initiative continues because it is exclusively managed by the Federal Government, road transport remains stalled due to the absence of government-owned buses.

“The route involves transportation unions. The Federal Government does not have buses that it can put out to run the show. We want the transport unions to take ownership and run. Account for the money that is given to you because we have some monitoring instruments,” the source explained.

Despite efforts to secure funds, the process has been slow. “He (the minister) has been going to finance. He couldn’t get the money So, that’s why we couldn’t start.”

The plan includes a payment of 50 per cent of an agreed average fare to transport unions for each route, covering road trips from Abuja to state capitals, and from Oshodi in Lagos to other destinations.

“The government is supposed to pay the transport unions 50 per cent of the average that we already arrived at for each of the routes,” the source clarified.

However, no funds have been disbursed yet, leaving transport unions unable to mobilise. “All transport unions that we signed the MOU with will have to bring vehicles to Eagle Square. So nobody has been given money yet. And therefore, everybody has been asked to be on hold.”

The source expressed hope that the issue would be resolved swiftly. “I want to believe that as early as possible tomorrow (Monday) morning, the minister will be on the neck of the Minister of Finance. And the finance minister would have bought into it, because it’s a directive from the President. And they will see how that money can come out. And then, they will begin.”

Credit: PUNCH