Borno NURTW spends N24m on 1,500 children orphaned by insurgents

The Borno State chapter of the National Union of Road Transport Workers said it had so far spent over N24 million on the upkeep of 1,500 orphans across the state.

The Secretary of the union, Malam Ahmadu Musa, disclosed this on Monday in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital, during the 8th State Quadrennial Delegates Conference of the union.

Musa said the orphans were children of commercial vehicle drivers slain by insurgents along highways across the state.

“The orphans had been enrolled in various primary school in the state capital to enable them continue their education,” he said.

He commended Governor Kashim Shettima of Borno State for donating 400 buses to members of the union to enhance transportation service in the state.

Musa said the buses were given as a revolving loan at the cost of N650,000 each, to be repaid within three years.

He said government also donated N2 million to the union for the purchase of an ambulance for use during emergency periods.

According to him, the union is collaborating with the FRSC, Army, VIO and police in training members on how to respond to emergency situations on the highways.

In his speech at the occasion, Shettima congratulated the NURTW for its achievements.

Represented by Alhaji Usman Shuwa, the Secretary to the State Government, Shettima described transportation as the life wire of every economy.

He commiserated with the union over the loss of its members as a result of the security challenges in the state, but assured them that the problem would soon become history.

NAN.