The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, emphasized that taxi driving is a respectable way to earn a living and should be embraced as a path to a decent income.
He made this statement at the FCT Renewed Hope Youth Empowerment Programme in Garki, Abuja, on Thursday, where he distributed 80 new cars to beneficiaries for use as taxis.
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“They are not paying a dime. No; the government is saying this is our support to feed your family and reduce the cost of transportation in the city… Abuja should compete with other cities in the world,” said the minister.
He urged the beneficiaries not to feel embarrassed about being empowered as taxi drivers, noting that many Nigerians who decline taxi driving jobs at home readily take on such roles when they move abroad.
“What you will see in the social media is that he wants them to be taxi drivers. We travel and see Nigerians who stay abroad and work as taxi drivers,” the former Rivers State governor said.
“Nigerians at home will say our uncle is in London, my uncle is in Houston, my uncle is in Paris, my uncle has sent us $200 but he (the uncle abroad) makes his money as a taxi driver, feeds his family and pays his taxes.
“Instead of encouraging how to feed our families, the next thing we will see in social media is that they are giving them jobs as taxi drivers.
“We can’t be taxi drivers here but we prefer taxi driving in London. That is the country you are in.”
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