Governor Dauda Lawal of Zamfara State has officially unveiled fifty brand-new luxury 18-seater buses for the Zamfara State Transport Company, marking what he described as a “rebirth” of the state’s long-neglected public transport system.
Speaking during the unveiling ceremony in Gusau, the state capital, Governor Lawal said the new buses symbolize not just a fulfilled campaign promise but a significant step towards rebuilding confidence in government-owned enterprises. According to him, the initiative is part of a broader plan to reposition the state’s economy through improved mobility, commerce, and interconnectivity with neighbouring states.
“These buses represent more than vehicles—they are a statement that Zamfara is back on the path of progress,” the governor said. “We took our time to ensure proper accountability, monitoring, and maintenance structures were in place before launch, because we cannot afford to repeat the mistakes of the past where public assets were abandoned or misused.”
The luxury 18-seater buses are fully air-conditioned and fitted with modern features including cushioned seats, seat belts, reliable suspensions, and GPS tracking systems to ensure safety, comfort, and real-time monitoring. The governor noted that the deployment of such high-quality vehicles reflects his administration’s commitment to efficient service delivery and sustainable infrastructure.
Governor Lawal also emphasized that the state’s strategic location—linking Sokoto, Kebbi, Katsina, Kaduna, Abuja, Bauchi, and Gombe—makes a functional transport network essential to economic growth and social stability. He appealed to citizens to patronize and protect the service, stressing that every act of vandalism or neglect would ultimately hurt the people.
“This is our collective property,” he declared. “We must protect it, use it responsibly, and ensure it lasts for generations. Zamfara will rise again, and this is one of the many steps we are taking to prove that.”
Observers have described the move as one of the most practical transport interventions in recent times, especially in a state where decades of poor maintenance culture had crippled government-owned vehicles. The new fleet, which will operate both intra- and inter-state routes, is expected to ease movement, boost trade, and create job opportunities across the transport sector.
Governor Lawal reaffirmed that his administration will continue investing in social and physical infrastructure to enhance the welfare of the people, assuring that the reforms in the transport sector will soon extend to road maintenance, terminals, and digital ticketing systems for transparency and efficiency.
With this initiative, Zamfara joins the growing list of states reviving their transport fleets as part of broader economic reforms aimed at improving public service delivery and restoring public trust.