Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti, has expressed satisfaction with the pace and quality of work at the ongoing construction of the Umuahia Central Bus Terminal, noting that the landmark project will transform transport services in the State.
Speaking during an inspection tour of the site on Wednesday, Governor Otti likened the project to the Paddington Terminal in the United Kingdom, which integrates rail, road, and commercial services in one location.
The Governor noted that the idea behind the multimodal transportation system is to centralise all transport activities in the capital city in one central location to stand as a one-stop transport hub for all commuters and passengers or travellers.
“This is nothing new, it has been done elsewhere. When you go to the UK, Paddington Terminal ensures convergence of the railway, the other means of transportation and of course you have a shopping plaza, cinema, hotel, everything.
“So we thought we should concentrate all those transport terminals in this place, instead of having different terminals at different places in the town”, he said.
The Governor noted that consultants handling the project were “very, very up to the task” and commended their progress.
“Hopefully before the end of this month they (contractors) would have gone far, even if they don’t complete the project”, he added.
Although Governor Otti declined to give a specific completion percentage, he stressed that quality was more important than speed.
“Even if they need more time, I’ll give them more time because it’s better done right the first time. But so far so good, I’m glad with the level of progress and with the quality of work”, he stated.
On the expected outcome, the Governor urged patience, saying, “Let me not pre-empt what is going to come. So just be patient and be expectant. I’m sure you’ll be happy with what you see”.
Also, the Commissioner for Transport, Mr. Chimezie Ukegbu, explained the vision behind the Umuahia Central Bus Terminal, which would serve as a one-stop transition hub for commuters and passengers.
He revealed that the railway station, bus station, and all parks in Umuahia would be centralised at the terminal, which is also replicated by the State government in Aba, the commercial nerve centre of the State.
“The railway station is coming into place. In fact, the design is ongoing now, almost completed. We’ve had series of meetings with Engineer Opaifa, who is the Managing Director of Nigerian Railway Corporation. They’ve given us the nod to go ahead and move the train station into the Central Bus Terminal.
“We just wanted to centralise all transport activities and that was why His Excellency in his wisdom decided to build up a central bus terminal, to stand as a one-stop transport hub for all commuters and passengers or travellers.
“It is a point that whatever mode of transport you want to use to travel, once you come into the central bus terminal, you’ll be able to get it.
“All the parks in Umuahia will be brought in there. We’re going to have a centralised parking system in Umuahia and Aba. You know, we’re also building the same in Aba, which will be completed hopefully by May”, he said.
On accommodation for late-night travellers, the Commissioner explained that while a guest house was not part of the design, provisions had been made for waiting spaces.
“There are spaces that may be an improvised means at least to wait. Not really a guest house. We did not plan having a guest house there, but we have a place or a space that will accommodate people to stay. Because what we intend doing is to run a 24-hour operation there”, Ukegbu explained.
