Electric buses will compliment tricycle transportation, Abia Govt assures operators

By Ogbonnaya Ikokwu On Dec 18, 2025

Ogbonnaya Ikokwu, Umuahia

Abia State Government has assured members of the Abia State Tricycle Operators Union (ASTOPU), that the electric buses being introduced in the state will not drive them away, but will compliment transport services in the state.

The Commissioner for Transport in the state, Dr Chimezie Ukaegbu disclosed this on Tuesday, at Aba Town Hall during the 2025 ASTOPU reward and empowerment ceremony.

He assured that under the watch of Governor Alex Otti, tricycle operators would continue their operations, considering their contributions to the state’s revenue.

Ukaegbu said, “The electric buses we are introducing in the state will not stop your operations or drive you away from the state, rather they will compliment your transport services in the state.

“Tricycle operators in Abia state, especially Aba have shown great support to the state government and advised them to prioritise their security and avoid alcohol.

“Our ministry in partnership with the office of the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Transportation, would continue to protect them and urged ASTOPU executive to maintain its visionary leadership”.

Also speaking, the Senior Special Assistant to the governor on Transportation, Dr Obioma Nwaogbe, stated that the tricycle operators have proved beyond expectations that they are ready to work with the present government with the level of their corporation in revenue contributions.

“The union is doing well, as such they have more things to benefit from the government apart from infrastructure and thanked them for working hard to move ASTOPU forward” he said.

In their goodwill messages, the Area Commander, Aba Divisional Police, ACP Ajayi Kayode, represented by the DPO, and the Federal Road Safety Corps Commander, Aba unit, U.O Uduma commended ASTOPU for working with them as they continue to engage and enlighten road users on road safety. The Area Commander and the road safety promised that they would continue to ensure the safety of road users and noted that there is noticeable improvement in prevention of road crashes.

They warned motorists not to be in hurry to rush and load because the season that will come and go, cautioning them, not to drive beyond one hundred kilometers.

The Chief Executive Officer of Abia SME Micro Finance Bank, Chimeremeze Okeigbo thanked the tricycle operators in Aba for their cooporation with other stakeholders to ensure smooth transport system in Abia State.

Okeigbo advised other tricycle operators who are yet to be enumerated to do so, citing the security benefits to them and the state at large.

Also speaking, the Aba Coordinator of Abia State Harmonised Taskforce, Chief Uche Nwogu, represented by Prince Emma Ahumibe and the state chairman, National Union of Road Transport Worker, Abia State council, Comrade Chukwuma Azodo popularly known as (China) noted that drivers in Aba are enjoying fresh air courtesy of the state Governor who have fixed many of the roads.

Nwogu and Azodo advised ASTOPU members to remain good ambassadors of the transport union and the state at large. They appreciated the union leadership for dishing good orientation to their members which had reflected in their actions by returning forgotten items in their tricycles.

Earlier in his welcome address, the chairman of ASTOPU, Comrade Victor Azubuike, said the executive of the union organised the event to appreciate those who returned forgotten items in their tricycles and have to get together with their unit heads.

He described the ceremony as an opportunity to recognize hard work, honesty and trust, urging drivers to continue in that direction.

Azubuike disclosed that 164 tricycle operators returned items to their office for their original owners to claim them and thanked their stakeholders, the security agents for their synergy to ensure that Aba tricycle operators enjoy robust relationships.

Highpoints of the ceremony were presentation of rice to 164 tricycle operators who returned items forgotten in their tricycles, presentation of awards to Abia State commissioner for transport, Dr Chimezie Ukaegbu, SSA to the Governor on transport, Dr Obioma Nwaogbe, CEO SME Micro Finance Bank, Chimeremeze Okeigbo, Area Commander Aba, ACP Ajayi Kayode, and Chairman Harmonised Taskforce coordinating Aba, Chief Uche Nwogu.

Some of the beneficiaries of the ASTOPU rice including Mark Onyekachi, Ife Donatus and Cyprian Ughasoro commended ASTOPU leadership for rewarding them and pledged their continued support to the state government and the transport union.