Abia State Government has officially flagged off the first phase of the Abia Urban Renewal and Public Transport Project in Aba, with an assurance that the present government would continue to make extensive investments in the development and restoration of the Urban infrastructure.
Critical components of the project which was performed by Mazi Clement Owunna,include the construction of Central Bus Terminal for commuter buses, the establishment of bus shelters and laybys along key intra-city routes, and junction improvements at major road intersections, is aimed at revolutionizing the inter- and intra-city transport systems.
Speaking while flagging off the project at the Aba Mega Mall Premises along the Osisioma axis of the Enugu/Port Harcourt express way, Governor Alex Otti described the flag off of the Bus Terminal Project as another demonstration of his “commitment to delivering world-class infrastructure projects and services to the people“.
“The flag off of this project underscores our commitment to setting high standards in social service delivery as we seek to deliver to our people an end to end transport system that structurally mirrors what you find in the more developed cities of the world“, he said.
Governor Otti who emphasized the urgency of Abia catching up with it’s peers on critical development parameters, affirmed that his government would move with great speed to catch up and create new standards for urban living in the region.
The Governor stated that the project was conceived to bring a holistic improvement to the general inter and intra City transport ecosystem in the urban centres of the state, ease traffic congestion and enhance the overall aesthetics of the commercial city.
He said the project when completed would mark the end of outdated practices, such as the presence of touts, solve a lot of problems associated with uncontrolled movement of heavy duty vehicles into the city centres, as well as guarantees safety of road users among benefits.
“In addition to changing the face of public transport system, it shall create room for the introduction of energy efficient vehicles, job creation for our youths and make the cities more livable.
“It is a more efficient, secured and reliable transportation system along the major city intra routes. This news system would also guarantee that our streets are cleaner and that our vehicles can park safely on the laybys along the roads without obstructing the smooth flow of traffic.
“The completion of the Urban Renewal Public Transport Project will also mean the end of some old habits that had behind popular traditions in the present system. There’ll be no role for touts and the old culture of spending more time to fill vehicles with passengers will be gone for good”, Gov Otti added.
The Governor revealed that the state government will fund the development of associated transports including the bus stations, laybys and would work with the private sector partners in the acquisition of vehicles , operations and maintenance.
While noting that the success of the project will require the cooperation of all stakeholders, Governor Otti urged the public to support the contractors.
He expressed optimism that the contractors would leverage their experience in project execution and management to complete the project on schedule.
In their goodwill messages, the Speaker Abia House of Assembly Rt Hon Emmanuel Emeruwa and Senator Darlington Nwokocha said that they are impressed with the landmark achievements of Governor Alex Otti in office, noting that the defection of two lawmakers of YPP to the Labour party is a testament of the good works of the Governor.
In their separate remarks, the Member representing Osisioma South state constituency Hon. Fine Ahuama and the Commissioner for Science and Technology Mr Chima Oriaku said that the people of Osisioma LGA are the highest beneficiaries of the infrastructural revolution of the present administration in the state, noting that the project when completed will promote sanity of Aba business environment and its multiplier effect in the economy of the area.
Earlier, the MD and Chief Executive Officer of the company handling the project, the Planet Projects Limited Engr. Biodun Otunola while noting that Aba and its environs have about 70 motor parts, said when fully realized the project will sanitize the commercial nerve center.
He said that the terminal will have world class facilities such as CCTV,Fuel dump and stations, Traffic system management, Convenience,ATM points among others.
