The Abia State Government has commenced enforcement of its new centralised transport system with the relocation of transport operators to the Nnenna Oti Bus Terminal, insisting that the reform is aimed at sanitising the transport sector, improving security and orderliness.
The Commissioner for Information, Prince Okey Kanu, disclosed this on Tuesday while briefing journalists on the outcome of yesterday’s State Executive Council meeting presided over by Governor Alex Otti.
Prince Kanu said full operations had commenced at the terminal, with informal transport operators and unions already moved into the facility.
“The first phase of operations involves the operations of the Abia Green Shuttle buses. The second phase involves informal transport operators, while the third phase will involve the formal transport operators like God is Good, GUO Motors, the Young Shall Grow group and all other transport operators”, the Commissioner explained.
He disclosed that enforcement has already commenced to ensure compliance by transport operators adding that the state government has held a series of meetings with transport stakeholders to address their concerns.
“There appears to be some push backs among some of the operators and this is as a result of the fact that people are not easily giving in to change. What is happening is that all the parks in the state have been moved to the bus terminal.
“The honorable commissioner for transport and his team have been holding a series of meetings with all the operators. They had one yesterday. And a few of their anxieties will be addressed very soon. Enforcement also will commence today to bring all the operators into the terminal”, Prince Kanu stated.
The commissioner also announced that a high-powered Renewed Hope Ambassadors Presidential Media Team are in the state to inspect federal and state government projects.
“During the tour, the team will traverse the state to inspect all the road projects impacted upon by the state government and so many other projects across the 17 local governments of the state.
“The tour will be rounded off with a civil reception for the visiting presidential team to be hosted by Governor Alex Otti OFR”, Prince Kanu said.
He described the visit as timely, citing the cordial relationship between the Federal Government and the Abia State Government, which has resulted in collaborations such as the proposed airport project and the planned Renewed Hope Housing Estate.
On infrastructure development, Prince Kanu said the Otti led administration has sustained its aggressive road construction programme despite recently commissioning about 25 roads during its third anniversary celebrations.
He disclosed that direct labour operations has been carried out in 49 locations across the state, with two projects completed and three new ones added to the maintenance schedule of the Ministry of Works.
Providing further insight into the transport reform, the Commissioner for Transport, Mr Chimezie Ukaegbu, said the state government had not taken away anybody’s means of livelihood but had instead introduced a more organised system.
According to him, transport operators were encouraged to bring their workers to the terminal where they would be properly identified with reflective tags.
Ukaegbu said the terminal operates a transparent system that allocates loading opportunities on a first-come, first-served basis irrespective of union affiliations.
He added that between 80 and 90 per cent of operators had embraced the initiative and that continuous engagements were being held with those yet to fully accept the new arrangement.
The commissioner explained that passengers now purchase tickets at designated booths based on their destinations and board vehicles from organised loading bays, thereby eliminating the confusion and harassment associated with the old system.
Also speaking, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Media and Publicity, Mr Ferdinand Ekeoma, defended the service charges introduced at the terminal, saying they were necessary to ensure the facility’s sustainability.
Mr Ekeoma argued that the centralisation of transport operations would significantly reduce urban congestion, indiscriminate loading bays and security challenges associated with the influx of unregulated transport operators adding that “Abia State shouldn’t be a dumping ground for people who are fleeing from different places”.
