BENIN CITY – Work resumed today nationwide after the New Year and Eid-Malud holidays declared by the Federal Government of Nigeria for Civil Servants.
The long holidays, however, created an opportunity for most Civil Servants to have a time off from their busy work schedules to felicitate with their families and loved ones, having been absent for a period of time as a result of their duties.
The NIGERIAN OBSERVER went round Benin City yesterday, and noticed that human and vehicular traffic were quite evident, as most people scampered to catch buses that would take them to motor-parks.
At the popular Iyaro Motor Park, Commuters were seen in large numbers carrying their luggage, apparently trying to enter vehicles going to their various destinations.
Also, Private Motor Park Operators, particularly those plying Lagos and Onitsha routes had a field day as commuters thronged their parks to continue their journey.
However, the cost of transport fares were slightly adjusted both in public and private motor parks, following the rush of passengers in the parks, who wished to reach their destination in order to resume work today.
The transport fares from Benin to Lagos was increased to N3,000 as against N2, 000 in the private motor parks, while at the public park, the operators adjusted their fares to N2,800 as against N1,500 in the same routes.
Some commuters who had a stop – over in Benin, apparently to catch a cheap vehicle to Lagos at N1,500 groaned over the hike of fares, as some remained stranded and hoped to catch the night buses.
Meanwhile, most parents, who took out their children to various resort centres described the holidays as a good vacation which rarely comes to civil servants, except yearly or when they observe their annual leave.
Charlie Ogiemwonyi told our reporters yesterday at the Oba Ovoranmwen Square resort Centre that the yuletide holidays created an opportunity for civil servant to have a rest from their job, as well as have a good time with their families.
At Sunrise Guest House along the Benin Airport Road, there was beehive of activities, as the operatives hosted children to fan fares and doled out gift items to children.
It would be recalled that the Federal Government declared December 25th and 26th, 2014 and January 1st and 2nd as holidays to mark the yuletide season, and Eid-El-Maulud, the birthday of Prophet Mohammed (SAW).
