Oyo Assembly dismisses petition against Pacesetter Transport Service

By Adejayan Gbenga

The Oyo State House of Assembly has dismissed a petition filed against the management of the Oyo State Pacesetter Transport Service (PTS) by Mr. Ibrahim Asiwaju, Chairman of the Association of Sacked Supervendors and Investors.

The recommendation to dismiss the petition was contained in a report presented during Tuesday’s plenary session, presided over by Speaker Rt. Hon. Adebo Ogundoyin.

Presenting the report, the Chairman of the House Committee on Transport, Hon. Adebayo Babajide, recommended the dismissal of the petition on the grounds of lack of merit and insufficient evidence.

The lawmaker also recommended that the House direct the PTS management to develop and implement a clearly structured organogram. This, he said, would establish defined reporting lines, job roles, and responsibilities, helping to eliminate ambiguity, prevent role duplication, and improve overall productivity within the company.

Hon. Babajide disclosed that the Committee found evidence of illegal activities, collusion, and fraud between some vendors and drivers, which ultimately led to the termination of the vendors’ contracts.

“Before the introduction of the card payment system, the company was experiencing revenue leakages, with daily income averaging around N200,000. After implementing the card system, revenue rose to N2 million on the first day. Although vendors were initially engaged to monitor card reader machines and prevent cash payments, their subsequent collusion with drivers to collect fares in cash led to further fraud. This prompted the termination of their contracts,” he explained.

The committee also found that Pacesetter Transport Service is solely responsible for the payment of staff salaries, pensions, and gratuities. Hon. Babajide, therefore, urged the House to direct the company to consider hiring contract staff to boost efficiency and extend its operations beyond intra- and inter-city routes to interstate services.

In addition, the lawmaker recommended that the Executive arm of government be urged, through the SAFER program, to increase the subvention allocated to PTS in support of its subsidized transportation services for residents of the state.