The role of transportation can not be underestimated in the life of any human, both in the olden days and even in the present. Transportation is as old as human existence but has over the years changed in it operation particularly with the advent of technology.
Just like transportation is important to traders and businessmen, it is also paramount in the lives of students, especially those whose institutions are not residential just like our great citadel of learning, Moshood Abiola Polytechnic, Abeokuta MAPOLY.
Because the institution which has been existing for about 37 years has been running its operations without halls of residence, it has left students of the institution with no other option other than to reside outside the walls of the polytechnic.
And the students make it to campus through tricycles, taxis, cabs or buses. In other words the students spend substantial some of money to do this on a daily basis for lectures and other academic activities.
About a year or two before now, drivers of cabs plying the Panseke-Ojere road collect N40 while the buses drivers collect N30 as transport fare, it has increased to N40 and N50 respectively for each occupant.
This development left a bitter taste on the tongues of students. The transporters hinged the increase on the new price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) popularly known as petrol. That probably made the students calm.
Just recently, it was revealed that the fare of the luxury buses popularly referred to as ‘Economy’ belonging to the polytechnic would be increased from N20 to N30 with the reason being that the Automobile Gasoline Oil (AGO), popularly known as diesel which the buses operate on has increased.
One may not be wrong to say this was done with little or no consideration for the students especially in this turbulent economy. For this reason, we are of the opinion that the management should rescind its decision bearing in mind that it is untimely and has generated negative comments from the students. This will ease the plights of the students.
We urge the authorities to quickly see to the matter of transportation on campus and find a lasting solution to the lingering challenge. Hence, the management should expedite actions on the proposed construction of halls of residence on campus.