COVID-19: Transport operators lose N200bn in 10 weeks

• …want ban on interstate movement lifted

The Public Transport Owners of Nigeria Association (PTONA) yesterday called for immediate lifting of ban on interstate transportation.

The Public Transport Owners said this is imperative to reduce the revenue losses, not only to them, but the national economy, estimating that the transport owners would have lost N200bn in revenue by the end of 10 weeks of the lockdown.

Addressing a press conference in Lagos on Friday, National President of the association comprising over 150 members, Engr. Isaac Uhunmwagho decried that since the ban on interstate movement, many businesses have died and more are on the verge of collapse.

He said apart from the huge revenue loss, PTONA members are no longer buoyant to continue the payment of staff salaries, adding, “Thousands of vehicles have been parked redundant for almost three months. The cost of restoration of these vehicles to sound condition will be millions of naira.”

The transport owners said while COVID-19 would not go any time soon, the country must learn to live with it and put in place necessary guidelines to contain the spread.