…announces purchase of CNG 50 buses
Akwa Ibom state governor Umo Eno has flagged off the construction of Ibom CNG Mass Transit Terminal at Ikot Ekpe Offot, Uyo.
Eno also announced that his administration has ordered 50 CNG buses with payment routed through the Central Bank of Nigeria(CNG).
He said that the buses expected to arrive from April this year would be distributed to the 31 local government areas of the state.
The governor, who performed the flag-off ceremony at the terminal premises, added that his administration plans to provide a world class transport facility to ease movement within the State, improve the State’s economy and boost tourism.
He underscored his determination to link all the 31 local government Areas of the State to Uyo, the capital city, and boost the economy and tourism potentials of the State.
He said, “I thank the Honourable Commissioner for Transport for the work they have done here. Some of you remember when we first visited this site, it was not a good sight. Like the Commissioner has said, it was abandoned and became a living abode for touts and criminals. But today, it has been well cleared and prepared to receive a world class bus terminal.
“From here our people are going to be driven through our very well paved and constructed roads to the 31 local government areas.
“All the 50 CNG buses have already been ordered and paid for through the Central Bank of Nigeria; and they will start arriving in April this year.
“These are luxurious CNG buses that would be deployed to service all Local Government Areas through and fro” he said.
Eno also commended the Minister of Petroleum – Gas, Obongemem Ekperikpe Ekpo for his collaboration and support for the vision as the project will incorporate gas stations, training schools for technicians, and engage about 500 drivers.
“We are trying to bring down the cost of living for all Akwa Ibomites. If transportation is brought down, everything comes down and the economy will be stable.
“We want to make sure that our people travel with ease. We will work with the mass transit people, we will work with the transport sector to realize this dream.
“This is not just a bus terminal like the Commissioner for Transport has said. Other facilities will be here to make it comfortable. The management will be topnotch.
“We are working on our transportation system in this state, whether it is marine transportation or aviation. We are building a marine terminal in Oron, and work is at its advance stage. We are building a warehouse there too, we have ordered two marine boats, one is done by the Nigerian Navy, and another by a company in Lagos,” he said.
Ekpo commended Governor Eno for his pragmatic leadership, describing him as a man of peace and vision who understands the needs of his people.
He noted that the project was a clear interpretation of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope vision to ameliorate the effect of subsidy removal.
