Abia Enforces Relocation of Transport Operators to Nnenna Oti Bus Terminal, Moves to Sanitize Sector

ABIA – The State Government has commenced the enforcement of relocation of transport operators to the newly built Nnenna Oti Bus Terminal Umuahia, insisting that the development is aimed at sanitising the transport sector, improving security and orderliness in Umuahia the state capital.

The Commissioner for Information, Prince Okey Kanu, who stated this while briefing journalists on the outcome of this week’s executive council meeting, said full operations have commenced at the terminal, with informal transport operators and unions already operating in the facility.

He disclosed that enforcement has already commenced to ensure compliance by transport operators adding that the state government has held a series of engagements with transport stakeholders to address their concerns.

Speaking further on the ongoing reform in the Transport sector, the Commissioner for Transport, Dr Chimezie Ukaegbu, said the state government has no plan to take away anybody’s means of livelihood but has through the ongoing reform introduced a more organised transport system.

He said transport operators were encouraged to bring their workers to the terminal where they would be properly identified with reflective tags as the terminal operates a transparent system that allocates loading opportunities on a first-come, first-served basis irrespective of union affiliations.

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”.