Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, visited the nearly completed Umuahia Central Bus Terminal on a working visit to the latest addition to Abia State’s transport sector.
Speaking to newsmen on the ground, Otti explained that the goal behind the mega project is to centralise transport terminals in Abia state and do away with the scattered arrangement the state is used to.
He downplayed the euphoria around the project, saying that such terminals are not new and can be easily found in developed countries.
” 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 a 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, Gov. Otti stated.
Speaking on the ongoing work at the Umuahia Central Bus Terminal, Otti expressed satisfaction with the level of work and the consultants’ competence. He stated that hopefully the terminal would be open by next month for commissioning.
Dr Chimezie Ukaegbu, speaking at the event, said that the essence of the project is to centralise all parks in umuahia optimising them for better efficiency.
“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.
“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. “We planned to sit at the railway station there. Then, you have the bus station and all the parks.
“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, Dr Ukaegbu stated.
Infoeast View
- The twin cities of Aba and Umuahia make up the core of activities and population in Abia state. Aba serves as the commercial capital, while Umuahia remains the administrative capital.
- Efforts to connect the two cities with seamless transit and infrastructure have long been a priority for successive governments in the state.
