Ifeanyi E. Ihegwuruike
Abia State Governor, Dr Alex Otti has said that a new intra and inter city transport regime will be launched in the next few months, to put an end to the current chaotic and unorganized transport system service seen in Aba and Umuahia.
Otti made the announcement during the official flag off of the reconstruction of the 4.32 kilometres Orpet – Umuafai – Lodu – Ahiaeke Road and the 3.79 kilometres Ahiaeke – Okwuta – Bende Road in Umuahia North LGA.
Anambra Times reports that the two major cities of the State, Aba and Umuahia, currently have an unfriendly transport system for intra and intercity transport, with some uncivilized people in charge of loading from motor parks with rickety vehicles that pose danger to human lives.
According to the Governor, the State’s urban mass transit initiative, which shall be launched within the next few months, will change the way people and goods are moved in the cities like Umuahia and Aba.
Otti explained that the new system will also streamline transport services, cut cost for commuters and improve the safety of passengers at anytime of the day or night.
The Governor added that the modern bus terminals and shelters currently under construction in Umuahia and the superior quality road networks in the city shall form the infrastructure backbone for the new intra and inter city transport regime in Abia State.
He further said that what his administration has come to do is to raise the governance bar so high that there shall be no room for little thinkers and self seeking actors in Abia’s political space when the administration is done.
Reacting to the governor’s announcement, some residents who spoke to the Anambra Times described the move as long overdue, with others calling on Otti to extend the bus terminal construction to the major axis of Aba to decongest the old Aba Motor Park.
Clement Ohadumbiri, an environmental expert, said that Otti would have created a mere urban slum if he had reconstructed all the roads in Aba and Umuahia without an organized transport system.
“These two cities cannot boast of a functional taxi system. You cannot get a taxi both in Aba and Umuahia. Everything is about staying on a loading bus or a loading tricycle, which makes the two cities to look like the ancient Indian city of Mumbai before it was remodeled.
“It’s very chaotic and has a complete survival of the fittest. A city’s transport system shouldn’t be a survival of the fittest. It should rather be comfortable for even the physically challenged.
“I’ve been waiting for this announcement since the Governor took over. He cannot end up building roads where touts will continue to control the transportation system. It’ll be an urban slum.
“I just hope that he realizes that setting up and urban mass transit can only be possible when handed over to well traveled civilized minds who will leverage from their knowledge to give the people the best. If left in the hands of touts as we see now, it’ll be dead on arrival.”
Comrade Ejike Obieze said that launching an urban mass transit in Aba without providing at least four separate modern transport terminals is tantamount to a complete waste of time and resources.
“The Governor is already building a modern bus terminal in Umuahia. That’s a good move. I would suggest he complete about four of such in the congested city of Aba, because what we currently have as a motor park here at Asa Road is a colonial motor park.
“You can see how private transportation companies are allowed to purchase land and erect motor parks recklessly around what used to be known as quiet residential neighbourhoods about five years ago.
“Let me say this, Aba as a city is divided into Osisioma, Ogbor-Hill, Main town, Ariaria, Ndiegoro, Over-Rail, and Ohabiam-Alaoji-Nnentu (Port Harcourt Road axis).
“With this setting. Osisioma currently has a space for a Motor Park and what is existing there is an embarrassment that needs serious building.
“The Main town, like a said, has colonial motor park. Ndiegoro, Ogbor-Hill, Ariaria, Ohabiam-Alaoji-Nnentu needs a serious motor park. The only part of Aba that may find it had to have such is Over-Rail, because of the nature of the area. When this is done, you decongest the City centre.”
Speaking further, Obieze said, “Take my analysis serious. We have customers from different parts of West Africa coming here and stopping at that colonial motor park in Asa Road and Milverton before moving to the various markets to buy.
“Imagine having an urban motor park handling Ariaria International Market customers and residents of its environs. Who said it’ll not be good to have another urban motor park to handle customers coming to Alaoji-Asa Nnentu Spare Parts Market, Orie Ohabiam Market and all those engine fabrication clusters along Port Harcourt Road?
Obieze suggested that while the Maintown Motor Park can handle customers coming to Ekeoha Shopping Centre, the GSM Village, and the Old Court Markets all in Aba Main town, it will be good to have another urban motor park at Ndiegoro to handle customers coming from Rivers State and Akwa-Ibom state into the Ahia-Ohuru (Ngwa Road Market), School Road Market, Nsulu Road Market, Akwete Road Market, Good Morning Market, Etched Road Market, Iheorji Market, Ama-Mmogho clothes and fabrics clusters and other areas of the Ndiegoro axis.
“It’s the same thing at Ogbor-Hill because Ehere Market is huge. The Aba Riverside Meat Market and slaughter is there and we equally have the Aba Mechanic Village over there right now, with a lot springing up over there. This city must be decongested if we want rapid development,” he said.
