REPORTER: PEACE AGBO
Abia state government has inaugurated a 340 multi-modal bus terminal in Umuahia to modernise transportation, ease urban congestion and stimulate economic activities across the state.
Inaugurating the bus terminal in Umuahia, Governor Alex Otti said the terminal was built to transform transportation in Abia and improve the commuting experience for residents and visitors.
The Governor who linked the recently completed junction improvement projects, bus shelters and electric bus services across the state noted that the terminal was equipped with independent power and water systems to guarantee uninterrupted operations and efficient service delivery.
He explained that 20 electric buses were already operating on intra-city and inter-city routes within the state as another 20 buses would soon arrive in the coming weeks and an additional 30 before the end of the year.
The Governor who named the facility after the Vice-Chancellor of Federal University of Technology Owerri, Professor Nnenna Oti, in recognition of her courage, integrity and commitment to truth during the 2023 governorship election in the state served as the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Returning Officer during the election that brought the Governor into office.
He urged residents, especially members of the host community, to take ownership of the facility by protecting it against vandalism and misuse and warned that the government would not tolerate indiscriminate disposal of waste, vandalism or theft within the facility.
Earlier, the Commissioner for Transport, Dr Chimezie Ukaegbu said that the terminal represented more than a transport facility, noting that it symbolised order, modernisation, economic growth, safety and urban renewal.
In her remarks, the Vice Chancellor of the Federal University of Technology Owerri, Professor Nnenna Oti, urged Nigerians to always stand for truth and justice and noted that national development would only be achieved when citizens consistently chose to do the needful irrespective of challenges.
Correspondent Peace Agbo reports that the Governor also inaugurated several roads in Umuahia, including the 6-kilometers(km), Tower-Onuimo Road, which was renamed Uma Ukpai Way, in honour of renowned television evangelist, late Dr Uma Ukpai amongst Others roads in Umuahia.
