N70,000 Transport Allowance: Reuben Abati Reveals What He Finds Unfair

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Former presidential aide and Arise Television’s Morning Show anchor, Dr Reuben Abati, has faulted the Federal Government’s decision to provide public sector workers with a N70,000 transportation allowance, describing the move as discriminatory.

Abati argued that the intervention leaves out private sector employees who are equally affected by the rising cost of transportation.

He noted that increasing transport fares and soaring petrol prices affect workers across both the public and private sectors, questioning why the government had limited the relief measure to public servants.

The broadcaster also raised concerns about the timing of the policy, suggesting that it might be driven by political considerations.

Abati made the comments on Wednesday during a discussion on the Federal Government’s proposed transportation assistance for public sector workers amid rising living expenses.

“So, federal government now said there is 70,000 naira transportation allowance for workers that are working in the public service.

“Well, I have an issue with that. Why is it only the public service? It’s not only organised labour that is affected in the public service, everybody is affected.

“Private sector, who is going to give us 70,000 naira transportation costs? We all go to the same market. No, we are all buying fuel at a very high cost,” Abati said.

He also criticised the government’s directive to the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC), arguing that the proposed intervention had yet to deliver any noticeable benefits to Nigerians.

“And the directive to NNPC, that has not even happened. We have not seen it, so we are all affected.

“So this is discriminatory,” he added.

ZINGTIE reports that the Federal Government approved the N70,000 monthly transportation allowance after a conciliation meeting with the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) in Abuja on Tuesday.

According to the agreement, the intervention is expected to last for six months, starting in November 2026, to help ease the burden of rising living costs on public service workers at all levels of government.

The agreement also addresses outstanding allowances and other matters relating to workers’ welfare.

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