The Vice-Chancellor of Federal University Otuoke (FUO), Professor Promise Mebine, has appealed to transport operators to reduce fares along the Yenagoa–Otuoke route, citing the heavy financial burden on commuting staff and students.Mebine made the call when he received a delegation from the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), Otuoke Branch, who paid him a familiarization visit at the university’s Governing Council Chambers.
“Most of our staff live in Yenagoa and travel daily to Otuoke. The current high transport fares are putting serious strain on them,” the professor of applied mathematics said.He stressed the need for stronger collaboration between the university management and the NURTW to create a more affordable and efficient transport system.
As part of measures to address the issue, Mebine disclosed that the university is considering acquiring land at the main gate to establish a motor park that will be operated by the institution to better regulate fares and operations.The VC also frowned at the chaotic indiscriminate parking of commuter buses outside the university gate and urged the union to work with management to set up a functional motor park.
He called on NURTW members to support the university’s efforts to promote decency on campus by refusing to board female students who are indecently dressed and asking them to go back and dress properly. Earlier, the leader of the NURTW delegation, Comrade Igoin D., said the visit was to formally welcome Professor Mebine as the fourth substantive Vice-Chancellor of the university.
