By Ihechinyere Chigemeri-Uwom
Aba, May, 2025
The Abia Government has emphasised that an efficient transport system is vital for socioeconomic growth and described transport operators as partners in governance.
The Commissioner for Transport, Dr Chimezie Ukaegbu, said this on Wednesday during the launch of the distribution of fuel palliative to tricycle operators by the Abia State Tricycles Operators Union (ASTOPU), in Aba.
Ukaegbu commended transport operators for their crucial role in the state’s development and urged them to pay their taxes and levies regularly to enable the government to serve them better.
He charged tricycle operators to obey traffic rules and assured them of the government’s commitment to protecting their interests.
In his remark, the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Transportation, Dr Obioma Nwaogbe, called for support for the government’s agenda.
He noted that ASTOPU plays a central role in managing tricycle operations and deserves to benefit from government-backed initiatives.
Nwaogbe said that the operators pay daily tickets and should see tangible benefits from their contributions to state revenue.
Also, the Chairman of ASTOPU, Mr. Victor Azubuike, said that the exercise was organised in celebration of the present administration’s infrastructure development in Aba.
He said that the repaired roads had made their operations easier and reduced vehicle breakdowns significantly.
Azubuike added that before now, they often visited mechanics due to poor road conditions, but the situation had improved.
He commended the Governor’s flood control efforts, saying they support the Governor’s vision and ongoing projects wholeheartedly.
In separate interviews, some beneficiaries, Mr. Kingsley Nwachukwu and Mr. Akachi Orji, thanked the union and government for the timely intervention.
They said the free fuel helped cushion the effects of rising fuel costs on their daily operations.
The fuel was distributed at several stations, including Tonimas on Aba-Owerri Road, and Conoil on Asa Road, among others.
