Borno Express Partners NDLEA to Curb Drug Abuse Among Drivers

By Ahmed Kaigama

The Borno Transport Corporation, Borno Express, has partnered with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) to curb drug abuse among its drivers and enhance passenger safety.

The corporation’s General Manager, Mr Grema Mohammed, disclosed this in an interview with newsmen on Thursday in Maiduguri.

Mohammed said the corporation conducted drug tests on prospective drivers before recruitment and monitored existing drivers to guard against substance abuse.

“We partner with the NDLEA to check the menace of drug abuse by drivers, and we conduct drug tests before recruitment.

“We cannot entrust the lives of commuters to drivers who may be under the influence of drugs. We care about the safety of passengers and our vehicles,” he said.

He said the corporation also monitored drivers across its routes and warned them against speeding and other unsafe practices.

According to him, the measures are part of efforts to improve road safety and protect passengers using the corporation’s services.

Mohammed said the corporation, established in 1973 to ease transportation across the Northeast and Northern Nigeria, had expanded its fleet.

He said it grew from one functional vehicle when he assumed office about seven years ago to about 300 vehicles.

He said the fleet included Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) buses and served intra-state and interstate routes covering Adamawa, Bauchi, Gombe, Yobe, Katsina and Kaduna.

He added that the routes also covered Kano, Abuja, Nasarawa and Plateau.

The general manager said the corporation was operating in the 27 local government areas of the state.

He attributed the expansion to the support of Gov. Babagana Zulum, who, he said, had provided 100 additional buses awaiting inauguration.

Mohammed said the corporation had established modern terminals with offices, lodges, shops, luggage stores and waiting areas to improve passenger comfort and decongest transport routes.

He said the corporation had also introduced separate transportation of luggage as cargo to various states.

Mohammed said Borno Express was established primarily to alleviate transportation challenges rather than operate solely for profit.

He added that private operators with about 100 vehicles had partnered with the corporation to provide transportation services under its system.

NAN