₦airaland Forum

Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, has inspected the ongoing construction of the Umuahia Central Bus Terminal, expressing satisfaction with the quality and pace of work as the project approaches completion.

This was disclosed in a statement signed by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor of Abia State, Njoku Ukoha, on Wednesday.

It was stated that the governor inspected the project on Wednesday, as part of a broader tour of infrastructure projects being executed by his administration across the state.

Speaking to journalists at the site, Otti explained that the decision to construct a central bus terminal was aimed at addressing the inefficiencies caused by multiple, scattered transport parks within the city.

He said centralising transport infrastructure was a global best practice that would enhance orderliness and improve commuters’ experience.

“It is nothing new; it has been done elsewhere. When you go to the UK, Paddington Terminal ensures convergence of the railway and other means of transportation.

“And of course you have shopping plaza, cinema, hotel, everything is there. So, we thought we should concentrate all those transport terminals in this place instead of having different terminals at different places in the town,” Otti said.

The governor commended the consultants and contractors handling the project, noting that the standard of work met his administration’s expectations.

“The work is going on very well. And the consultants are very, very up to the task. I’m happy with the progress of work. I’m glad with the level of progress and with the quality of work,” he said.

Otti expressed optimism that the project would be substantially completed before the end of January, while stressing that quality would not be sacrificed for speed.

“Hopefully, before the end of this month, they would have gone far. But, what I see here gives me an impression that by the end of the month, if they haven’t completed, they would be very close to completing it.

“But, even if they need more time, I’ll give them more time because it’s better done right the first time. But, so far so good,” he stated.

Also speaking, the Commissioner for Transport, Chimezie Ukaegbu, said the terminal was designed to serve as a one-stop transport hub for commuters within and outside the state.

“We just wanted to centralise all transport activities, and that was why His Excellency, in his wisdom decided to build a central bus terminal to stand as a one-stop transport hub for all commuters, passengers, and travellers,” Ukaegbu said.

“Whatever mode of transport you want to use to travel, once you come into the central bus terminal, you’ll be able to get it,” he added.

According to him, all existing motor parks in Umuahia would be relocated to the terminal, with similar infrastructure planned for Aba.

“All the parks in Umuahia will be brought in here. We are going to have a centralised park system in Umuahia and Aba. You know, we are also building the same in Aba, which will be completed hopefully by May,” he said.

Beyond the bus terminal, Otti also inspected ongoing road construction works around Cooperatives and the Ahiaeke–Okwuta–Bende Road.

At the Ahiaeke–Okwuta–Bende Road project, the governor was received by a representative of Craneburg Construction Company, Yousef Tawk, who briefed him on the progress of work.

Otti engaged the contractor on technical concerns, particularly regarding a section of the road with a valley by the side, and urged that lasting solutions be implemented. He also charged the contractor to ensure the road is completed before the onset of the rainy season.

The governor further interacted with passengers and crew members of the Abia Electric Buses, which have been offering free transportation services to residents and visitors since their launch in December, to assess their performance and compliance with operational guidelines.

Otti was accompanied on the inspection tour by the member representing Ikwuano/Umuahia Federal Constituency, Obi Aguocha; the General Manager of the Umuahia Capital Development Authority, Kingsley Agomuo; and other government officials.

Good2go1:
If Alex Otti achieved all he has achieved within two years it means money has never been a problem for Nigeria to be undeveloped rather it is corruption by the politicians

Good2go1:
If Alex Otti achieved all he has achieved within two years it means money has never been a problem for Nigeria to be undeveloped rather it is corruption by the politicians

HORLADY:
Nice initiative.
Nigeria has never been bereft of good projects.
Maintaining these infrastructure is the bane of the society.
Oshodi bus interchange readily comes to mind, it has gone from world class to eyesore.

Yorubastardz:
Omo Abia State truly won the lottery

The only state to benefit from 2023 elections

SmartPolician:
This bus terminals at Oshodi are not an eyesore. You are blowing things out of proportion. That facility just needs to be repainted.