The Abia State government has announced plans to introduce Compressed Natural Gas (CNG)-powered buses to enhance the state’s transport system.
The state Commissioner for Information and Culture, Okey Kanu, disclosed this during a press conference at the Government House, Umuahia, following the state executive council meeting.
Mr. Kanu stated that this initiative aims to address the transportation gap that will result from the new policy restricting the operational hours of tricycles and motorcycles in Umuahia and Aba.
The government has mandated that tricycle and motorcycle operators in these areas can only operate between 6 a.m. and 7 p.m. daily, starting August 1. This date was extended from the initially planned July 1 start, in response to public feedback and to maintain extended business hours in the state.
Kanu stated, “As part of the initiatives and incentives to drive this new policy, Abia Government plans to introduce CNG-powered buses to close up whatever gaps that will be created by the full implementation of this restriction policy.
He said that tricycle and motorcycle operators interested in the CNG-powered buses could access it by forming a cooperative and working in clusters.
“The bottom line will be to access these buses so that there will be no gaps in terms of people missing out on earning income.”
Kanu described the introduction of the CNG-powered buses as a measure that would ensure that commuters move around the state, particularly Aba and Umuahia, when these restriction orders commenced.
According to him, other arrangements, such as enumeration and registration of all commercial vehicles with regard to the restriction policy, have commenced as planned.
Regarding the ongoing upload of credentials by Abia civil servants, Kanu reported that the exercise had “progressed well”.
He articulated, ”As at date, a total of 36,875 academic certificates and a total of 25,458 career documents have been uploaded, while a total of 7,582 certificates were moved to various institutions for verification.”
He praised the civil servants who have complied with the directive and urged those who have not to upload their credentials promptly. Kanu urged civil servants that were yet to do theirs, to upload their credentials “in their best interest”.
Mr Kanu said that road construction and rehabilitation efforts were still progressing in the state despite the challenges posed by the rains.
“The design of the stretch of road from Onuimo to Abia Tower is in progress, and the enumeration of structures within the right of way from the Owerrinta Bridge to Umuikaa Junction is ongoing,” he added.
(NAN)
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