… launches new Transport Management System, over 80 bus shelters

In an uncommon move that changes the transportation landscape in Enugu State, Governor Peter Mbah, on Thursday, inaugurated five ultramodern transport terminals in various parts of the state in line with his integrated blueprint for a modern and multimodal transport ecosystem.

Mbah also launched the Enugu State Modern Transport System that would enable residents commute with ease, as well as a digital platform and over 80 modern bus shelters constructed across the state.

The terminals visited and personally commissioned were the Holy Ghost Terminal 1 (Enugu Central Station 1), designated for inter-state transport; Holy Ghost Terminal 2 (Enugu Central Station 2) for inter-city transport; Nsukka Terminal (Nsukka Central Station); Abakpa Nike Terminal (Abakpa Central Station), and Gariki Terminal (Gariki Central Station).

Mbah said the projects, which drew huge crowds and elicited palpable joy among the residents, were a key part of the administration’s integrated five-terminal Transport Infrastructure Projects, Phase 1, in line with his vision to grow the state’s economy from $4.4 billion to $30 billion.

Features of the terminal include food courts, banking halls, motels, shops, CNG refilling stations, and cinemas, while the Holy Ghost Terminals 1 and 2 are connected by 400m long sky bridge, said to be the longest in Nigeria. The buses feature free wifi and security equipment.

Addressing a mammoth crowd at the Holy Ghost Terminal 2, the governor recalled that until the commencement of the project in late 2023, the Holy Ghost area was “practically a synonym for chaotic traffic and general disorderliness.”

Continuing, he said, “Aside from the fact it constituted a major municipal blight, we knew we could not attain our audacious economic goals if we lacked an efficient public transport system that offered both comfort and dignity.

“We knew that our goal to make Enugu the most livable city in Nigeria would be a futile bid if we were unable to tackle problems such as persistent traffic gridlock.

“So, from the very first day of this administration, we made a promise: to build a world-class transport system that moves people, connects businesses and communities, and, crucially, that rightfully positions Enugu State as a model of modern governance, sustainable growth, and human dignity.

“Today’s commissioning of the newly completed world-class terminals and the CNG Bus Mass Transit Scheme is indeed beyond a ribbon-cutting exercise. It ushers in a whole new experience; fundamentally connecting our vision to action, and our action to the daily lives of the over seven million residents of Enugu State.”

He explained that alongside the CNG Rapid Bus Service (Mass Transit Scheme), the terminals were “central pillars of our transport agenda – a multimodal highway to the future – integrating road, rail, air, and waterways into one seamless, safe, and efficient ecosystem.”

He also described the terminals as catalysts for economic development and “engines of economic revival.”

“They represent our capacity to deliver projects that empower Ndi Enugu and set our state on a robust trajectory of growth.

“Already, this project is creating jobs, stimulating SMEs, and positioning Enugu to compete with Africa’s best. Through it, we’re creating over 20,000 jobs across BRT, 2,000 hybrid city taxis, airport operations, ride-hailing, and support services.”

He said that the Enugu Transport Management System would eliminate corruption that had been the bane of government enterprises to ensure sustainability, counting on an e-ticketing system that eliminates leakages, guarantees transparency, and ensures every payment is accounted for.

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Ebonyi State government has announced that it1cmqvd has received the green light from the federal government to commence flight operations at the International Airport in Onueke.

The new airport has also been named after the President of Nigeria, Muhammadu Buhari, in recognition of his contributions to national development.

Obianuju Alo, the Senior Special Assistant to the governor on Aviation and Technology, expressed her excitement over the inauguration of flight operations.

Enhancing business activities in Ebonyi
Alo emphasised the significance of the new airport in enhancing the economic fortunes of Ebonyi State. “With the airport inauguration, Ebonyi State is open for business,” she said.

Alo also revealed that two flights will be landing at the airport every week, one from Abuja and another from Lagos. “We want to encourage all Ebonyians and investors to come to Ebonyi and do their business,” she added. “Ebonyi will now start exporting agricultural products to the entire world.”

Alo further disclosed that international airlines would soon be coming to Ebonyi State, which would create employment opportunities for the people and benefit the local community.

The state government has approved six individuals per Local Government Area to be scheduled for a test flight from Abuja and Lagos.

The state government will bear the cost of the tickets for the test flight.

Governor David Umahi’s remark
In a statement by Governor David Umahi, he said that the airport’s completion was one of the greatest achievements of his administration. He praised the federal government for approving the airport, stating that it would help to facilitate the transportation of goods and services in the state.

He also thanked President Buhari for accepting the honour of having the airport named after him. He noted that the president had made significant contributions to the development of the nation, particularly in the areas of infrastructure, security, and anti-corruption.

The Governor reiterated his commitment to the development of Ebonyi State, stating that his administration would continue to initiate projects and programs that would improve the lives of the people.

A federal high court in Abakaliki, the Ebonyi capital, has declared the activities of Ebube Agu, the south-east security network, illegal in the state.

Governors of the south-east states had, in April 2021, announced the establishment of the security outfit as part of efforts to tackle insecurity in the zone.

In its ruling on Tuesday, the court also ordered the Department of State Services (DSS) and police to retrieve all the weapons in the possession of Ebube Agu operatives in Ebonyi state.

Riman Fatun, the presiding judge, said the grounds for disbandment were linked to human rights abuses, extortion, and illegal arrests.

“I hereby declare the Ebube Agu outfit illegal and therefore, it ceases to exist as the Ebonyi state house of assembly has no powers to approve their existence,” the judge held.

The court, in a suit filed by Abia Onyike, also ordered the Ebonyi government to pay the plaintiff the sum of N50 million as damages over his “abduction and torture” by the Ebube Agu security outfit in Abakaliki in November 2022.

In November 2022, Onyike, director of media and publicity of the Ebonyi PDP campaign council, was arrested by Ebube Agu operatives.

Speaking with journalists on the court’s ruling, Michael Odo, counsel to Onyike, said he approached the court to seek for a determination on “whether the Ebonyi state house of assembly has the constitutional powers to enact such security agency”.

“I also approached the court to seek whether the arrest of the plaintiff on 9/11/2022 and detention and torture by operatives of the Ebube Agu security agency and/or Ebonyi state Ebube Agu Corps at the Old Government House, Abakaliki, Ebonyi state, are lawful,” the lawyer added.

“I am happy over the judgment and today, justice has been done to my client.”

Nigerian actor, Charles Okocha, popularly known as ‘Igwe 2Pac’ has been admitted in the hospital after getting involved in a ghastly car accident.

The father of two took to Instagram to express his gratitude to God for saving his life while sharing photos of himself on a hospital bed.

He also shared a short video clip from the accident scene. According to the actor, the incident took place on the Third Mainland bridge.

He wrote:

”Thankful for life. Was involved in a car accident on 3rd mainland bridge last night but GOD DID!!! We Asaaaaa still.”

See the post below:

Popular Ishieke market in Abakaliki, Ebonyi State capital was on Monday, December 12, gutted by fire. 

The Nation reported that a large portion of the market was completely burnt to ashes by the fire which began around 2am.

Some of the traders who lost their goods to the fire, lamented and called for help from the State and Federal governments.

One of the victims of the fire incident, Emmanuel Merit said over 20 shops were destroyed before fire service arrived and put off the inferno.

The Chief Fire Officer in the State, Raphael Ibiam who confirmed the incident, blamed the fire on power surge in one of the buildings and warned residents to always put out all appliances they are not using.

Ibiam said; 

“We received distress call around 2:15 am and quickly mobilised to the market. It has already spread to many shops when we got there.

“We managed to control and put it off around 3 am. We are suspecting that it might be as a result of fire surge.

“Traders should try and put off all electrical appliances they are not using. This is the third fire I of recent that is suspected to have been caused by power surge.

“Also, we have been advising traders to get fore extinguishers. This will help them to control or even put off the fire before fire service gets there. But they have always remained adamant about.

“They should know that it is for their own good. A good extinguisher is about N10,000 N12000. It is better to spend that amount to secure your premises and goods than to lose millions.”