People of Kwara State, particularly Ilorin indigenes, are acclaimed to have started taxi business in the country and they have remained proud of this accomplishment ever since. In local parlance, the people of the state refer to taxi as "Oba n ki o," meaning the king salutes you.

Most taxi drivers and owners in many towns in the northern part of the country are Yoruba indigenes, with 90 per cent of them said to be from Kwara State.    

Ilorin indigenes practising the taxi business in their native land take pride in their business, seeing themselves as a key part of the growth of the economy.

Thus, as part of measures to create better life for the people of the state, most especially the transporters and in further demonstration of the present administration's commitment to ease transportation problems and make motoring more comfortable for the people, the Kwara State Government recently flagged off a N150 million empowerment initiative for transporters in the state through the provision of taxis, buses and light trucks.

Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed personally handed over 100 taxi cabs procured at a cost of N50million to transporters under the second phase of its Transportation Revitalisation Scheme.

The beneficiaries of the government's gesture include members of RTEAN, NURTW, NARTO, Association of Independent Transporters (AIT), cooperative societies and qualified individuals.

Speaking at the unveiling of the taxi cabs in Ilorin on Monday, March 3, 2014, the Special Adviser to Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed on Political Matters, Alhaji Bibire Ajape, recalled that the governor had given out 250 tricycles (keke maigida) to interested transporters in the state to kick start the process of revitalising the transport sector.

The government, which said it was not unmindful of problems associated with spare parts, had implored the transporters to comply with repayment agreement, as the project was meant to be in form of a revolving loan, which they were expected to pay back for others to benefit.

With the provision of the taxi cabs, the governor's aide said the present administration had helped to create businesses for the state motor dealers, adding that no fewer than 500 jobs had been created for transport operators, drivers, vulcanisers, mechanics and wash men, among others.

Also speaking at a well attended event held inside the Government House premises, Governor Ahmed said other levels of empowerment in the sector would manifest in the next few months.

"In the coming months, this administration will provide further demonstration of this renewed determination to expand opportunities for our people through unprecedented socio-economic capital projects and programmes that cut across the state, including the provision of 8,200 youth jobs through Quick Win.

"About five months ago, this administration commenced various empowerment interventions under the Shared Prosperity Intervention Programme to sustain the material wellbeing of the good people of Kwara State. These initiatives include the disbursement of N4 billion in car loans to our civil servants, inauguration of Operation Harmony Security Outfit and provision of N100 million revolving loan to artisans, among others.

"It is therefore with great satisfaction that I flag-off our N150 million Empowerment For Transporters in Kwara State, starting with the launch of 100 taxis procured at the cost of N50 million in revolving micro credit. In the coming months, we intend to extend the empowerment to other operators in the dynamic transport sector.

"Indeed, the choice of taxi drivers is due to their importance to efficient intra and inter-city transport services. As we all know, taxi drivers are crucial to mobility of people and their goods as well as to enhanced socio-economic activities across the length and breadth of Kwara State," he said.

Governor Ahmed noted that with the N50 millon first phase transporter empowerment scheme his administration had distributed N674 million revolving credit to various beneficiaries under its entrepreneurship scheme from 2012 to date.

"It is noteworthy that over 70 per cent repayment rate of the previous revolving loan scheme has been recorded," the governor said, adding that it had brought added benefit to more people under the programme.

The governor, who said the revolving loan scheme for taxi drivers was not a government largesse, urged them to work hard and repay the loans promptly so that others could benefit, stressing, "indeed, this is why funds for the purchase of these taxis were disbursed to the transporters through micro finance banks."

The governor also counselled the beneficiaries of the taxi scheme to maintain the vehicles regularly, obey traffic regulations and cooperate fully with security agencies to make the roads accident-free and safe.

"Distinguished ladies and gentlemen, you will agree with me that one of the challenges of our transport system in Nigeria is lack of maintenance.

This negative attitude often puts the lives of innocent road users in needless jeopardy and contributes to early deterioration of road infrastructure.

"I, therefore, urge you to maintain your vehicles regularly, obey traffic regulations, and cooperate fully with security agencies to make our roads accident free and safe in the interest of your successful business," he said.

The governor, who appreciated the support of the people of the state for his administration, promised that his administration remained guided by a determination to exceed people's expectation of good governance.

Delving into politics, the governor said that as the 2015 election drew close, good governance, respect for the rule of law and adherence to equity should be the guiding principles of the national democratic experience.

"Let me restate here for the avoidance of doubt that our decision to move to the APC was based not on mere political brinkmanship but on the need for a platform that will ensure that our people's voices are heard and that their well-being is assured.

"I invite those who continue to cling to the notion that our move does not enjoy the support of the good people of Kwara State to wake up to the reality. The people of Kwara State are enthused by our determination to uphold their interest and are firmly behind our leadership.

"As the nation moves towards the general election in 2015, I implore you all to utilise your votes judiciously. I have often said that good governance and respect for the rule of law should be the guiding principles of our democratic experience. I urge you to also be guided by these values as you make your choices in the forthcoming elections of 2015," he said.

Speaking on behalf of their members, Alhaji Abdulrasaq Badmus of the National Union of Road Transport Workers and Alhaji Farouk Opeloyeru of Road Transport Employers' Association said the vehicles and the payment modalities were not forced on them as they were also taken into confidence in the choice of vehicles procured under the taxi revolving loan scheme.