By Ihechinyere Chigemeri-Uwom
The Abia Government says the electric bus scheme being introduced in the state is aimed at strengthening the transport system and will not replace or displace private transport operators.
The Commissioner for Transport, Dr Chimezie Ukaegbu, gave the assurance on Wednesday in Aba during the 2025 Reward and Empowerment Ceremony of the Abia State Tricycle Operators Union (ASTOPU).
Ukaegbu said the electric buses were designed to complement existing modes of transportation, particularly tricycles, which play a vital role in intra-city mobility and revenue generation in the state.
He noted that the present administration recognises the importance of private transport operators and would continue to support them to operate within a secure and organised system.
The commissioner commended ASTOPU members, especially those in Aba, for their cooperation with the government and urged them to prioritise safety, shun alcohol consumption while working and obey traffic regulations.
He assured the operators that the state government would continue to protect their interests, while encouraging the union leadership to sustain its visionary approach.
In his remark, the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Transport, Dr Obioma Nwaogbe, said that tricycle operators had demonstrated strong commitment to the present administration through their cooperation and revenue contributions.
Nwaogbe said that the union had shown readiness to work with the government and assured members that more benefits would accrue to them beyond infrastructure development.
Earlier, the Chairman of ASTOPU, Mr. Victor Azubuike, said that the event was organised to reward members who returned items forgotten in their tricycles and to engage unit heads.
Azubuike disclosed that 164 tricycle operators returned items to the union office for retrieval by their owners, describing the gesture as a reflection of honesty and discipline.
He thanked security agencies and other stakeholders for their cooperation.
In their separate remarks, some beneficiaries, Mr. Mark Onyekachi, and Mr. Ife Donatus, thanked the union leadership for the recognition of their simple acts of service to the public.
They promised to continue to uphold the principles of honesty in their trade and commitment to the state government development agenda.
Highlights of the event included the presentation of bags of rice to 164 tricycle operators and awards to key stakeholders.
