The Abia state government has announced that thirty new Green Shuttle Buses will arrive in the State by next month, increasing the fleet to seventy.
Commissioner for transport Dr Chimezie Isaac Ukaegbu who broke the cheering news on Thursday while addressing an emergency congress of the Abia council of the Nigerian Union of Journalists, NUJ, explained that the measure is aimed at increasing the coverage of the Abia Green Shuttle Services.
Dr Ukaegbu pointed out that Abia currently is the State with the highest number of green buses plying on roads assured that More routes to benefit from the green shuttle buses.
“We are determined to build a transport system that is not only modern in appearance but also reliable, financially responsible and responsive to the needs of our people.
“Our ambition is to make public transportation in Abia State a model of innovation, affordability and sustainability,” he stated.
The Commissioner disclosed that Abia currently ranks tops in the transportation section among all states in the country, revealing that Enugu State has sent a team to understudy the managerial operations of the Nnenna Otti bus terminal.
“Our next priority is to strengthen integration between the terminal, the Green Shuttle Service, informal transport operators and established inter-city transport companies.
“This transition requires consultation, cooperation and a clear understanding of the long-term public interest.
“We are engaging transport unions, park operators, commercial drivers and other stakeholders to ensure that the reforms are implemented in a manner that promotes order without unnecessarily disrupting legitimate livelihoods.
“Let me emphasise that our objective is not to punish transport operators. It is to create a system in which operators can work productively, passengers can travel safely and the state can manage its transport infrastructure efficiently,” Ukaegbu pointed out.
While revealing that the transport ministry yields highest amount of revenue to the state, he further made public that the Osisioma bus terminal currently under construction will be completed before the year runs out.
Dr Ukaegbu who described the NUJ as critical for Societal development appealed to Journalists to assist the government in enlightening road users and motorists on proper road usage.
He expressed delight that Abia has a minimal number of road accidents compared to other states and called on transport unions private operators to help the government in achieving sanity within the sector.
