In a bid to ease the transportation stress being encountered by students on and off the university campus, the Comrade Michael Oloyede-led Administration of the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta Student Union (FUNAABSU) has procured a mini-bus to meet the transportation needs of the students while also serving as a model for the FUNAABSU Transportation Scheme (FTS).
Speaking on the rationale behind the initiative, Comrade Oloyede, popularly known as Proverbial by his fellow students disclosed that the issue of transportation on campus has been a major challenge that the students have been constantly faced with as a result of insufficient transportation means on campus and hike in transportation fare among others.
He noted that these and many more have necessitated the need for his team to purchase a bus with the aim of providing a continuous and lasting solution to the transportation problem on campus.
According to him, “Over the years, the issue of transportation has been a major concern for our great union. Students have been subjected to hike in transportation fare by commercial drivers due to reasons beyond their control, scarcity of vehicles at certain periods when quite a number of students need to be on campus, while some others have little or no fare to transport themselves to school which has caused majority to trek down to campus not minding the distance”.
“However, having critically examined the various available options in a bid to providing a continuous and lasting panacea to this transportation conundrum, and having had series of consultations with purposeful deliberations, a model which will bring about the regulation of the transportation scheme of the university and foster effective, efficient and affordable services was formed”.
While describing FTS as a ‘Model of Rekindled Revitalization’, the FUNAABSU President stated that a symbiotic arrangement has been drawn up which will undeniably favour the Union, the students and the drivers inclusive. He stressed that the model has also been divided into three categories of “The mini-bus, the business and the incorporation”, and has been designed to make it easy and stress free for individuals who wish to be part of the revitalization process.
Speaking on the categories, Comrade Oloyede revealed that the buses will be available for transportation of students at a very subsidized rate, while the business aspect would involve employing drivers to make a daily target of 4,200 naira and are required to remit the money into the Union Bank Account three times a week.
He further stated that the Union has also decided to incorporate interested members into the Union’s Transportation Scheme by forming a partnership with them, stressing that incorporated individuals will be required to repaint their vehicles to the Student Union chosen colour in order to fully enjoy the benefits of the Scheme.
The President however called on interested members to pick up a form at the Union’s Secretariat and pay a one-time amount of 10,000 naira into the Union’s account and would be required to make a weekly remittance of 1,500 naira after a successful registration and validation by the Union.
Meanwhile, Prof. Mobolaji Omemu, Dean Student Affairs has commended the FUNAABSU “Team Revitalization 19/20” Administration under the leadership of Comrade Oloyede for coming up with a thoughtful initiative like the FTS.
She encouraged them to try as much as possible to enlighten those coming after them on the importance of the Scheme so that they can key into the vision, stating that this will enable them to consolidate on it and work towards making it a continuous process.
