Abuja agency trains graduates for taxi business

The Abuja Enterprise Agency (AEA), in collaboration with MTI Graduate Taxi Scheme (MGTS), has trained 19 graduates in taxi business. The Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer (MD/CEO) of AEA, Dr. Arabi Tukur, said another set of 20 people selected by the Confederation of Tricycle Motor Operators Association (CONFACTRIMO) in the FCT were also trained […]

The Abuja Enterprise Agency (AEA), in collaboration with MTI Graduate Taxi Scheme (MGTS), has trained 19 graduates in taxi business.

The Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer (MD/CEO) of AEA, Dr. Arabi Tukur, said another set of 20 people selected by the Confederation of Tricycle Motor Operators Association (CONFACTRIMO) in the FCT were also trained in entrepreneurship and provided a driver-instruction class.

Dr. Tukur said, “The agency has provided technical support for MGTS, a private sector-led scheme. We trained 19 people for the scheme who are graduates that are willing to take up taxi driving for a business. They have all been trained on entrepreneurship and driving instructions. Out of the 19, 13 have been profiled and were given funds by the agency for the acquisition of vehicles based on agreed and fulfilled terms and conditions.”

The MD further noted that the beneficiaries had been given four years to make full payment for the vehicles after which they would become owners.

He also disclosed that all the vehicles for the scheme had been marked, commercially registered and placed on tracking systems to eliminate security concerns that passengers might have.

In a statement, the spokesman of the FCT minister, Mr. Anthony Ogunleye, said the training was part of the Keke Palliative Taxi Scheme (KPTS) initiated by the Minister, Muhammad Musa Bello, to cushion the effect of the restriction on tricycles in Abuja.

Bello who was represented at the flag off ceremony by his Chief of Staff, Bashir Mai Bornu, said the beneficiaries of the scheme had been given 33 Nissan saloon cars after successfully undergoing driving test and profiling for access to finance.

The minister urged the beneficiaries to deploy the taxis in areas where tricycles had been restricted to cushion the effects suffered by commuters.

He explained that 20 of the beneficiaries drawn mainly from the Keke riders unions were trained by AEA and profiled for access to finance which facilitated the purchase of the vehicles.

The minister also noted that a private sector company, MTI Taxi Limited, also provided 13 vehicles for the scheme.

Speaking on behalf of the beneficiaries, the Treasurer of Keke NAPEP FCT, Sanusi Usman, thanked God for the privilege to upgrade from Keke NAPEP riders to taxi owners through the effort of the FCT minister.

Usman said, “When this incident happened to us and we were restricted from our areas of operation, we were disturbed and we were not happy actually. But by the grace of God, by having this opportunity, we are now very happy.”

Usman further disclosed that the taxis were given to the beneficiaries at the rate of N3.8m each, and added that they had agreed to be making weekly payment of N23,000 for a period of four years after which they would take full possession of the vehicles.