Abia State Governor Alex Otti has inaugurated another 20 electric buses for the Abia Green Shuttle Service and directed traffic enforcement agencies to begin a tougher crackdown on motorists who violate road regulations.
Speaking on Thursday at the unveiling of the second batch at the Nnenna Otti Bus Terminal in Umuahia, the governor said the new buses would improve public transportation within and outside the state while expanding access to safer and more affordable transport.
Otti said the deployment fulfilled a promise his administration made after the first batch of 20 electric buses was launched in December 2025.
“In December 2025, we were privileged to have our wife and mother Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, the DG of World Trade Organisation, commission the first set of 20 electric buses. At that event, we made a promise that more was coming. This afternoon, we have gathered to formally put another set of 20 buses on the Abia Green Shuttle fleet and to further announce that we are still not done,” he stated.
According to him, the additional buses come with larger cargo spaces, will extend services to more destinations within and outside Abia State, and include automated access for persons living with disabilities.
The governor said the state opted for electric vehicles because they are more cost-effective for both government and commuters, environmentally friendly and consistent with his administration’s economic policy of making strategic investments before attracting private sector participation.
He said the public transport system had witnessed significant improvements over the past seven months, following investments that included the commissioning of the Nnenna Otti Bus Terminal in May and the rollout of the first batch of electric buses.
Otti added that orderly queues at bus stops, technology-driven payment systems and more reliable services were gradually becoming the standard in the state.
While acknowledging attempts by some workers and passengers to undermine the transport system, he said offenders had been sanctioned.
The governor also announced stricter enforcement of traffic laws across the state, warning that motorists who flout regulations would face severe penalties.
“May I also take this opportunity to announce that no one has the right to violate traffic regulations; beating traffic lights, driving against traffic, overloading, irregular parking and all such behaviours that threaten the safety of other road users will, going forward, attract severe sanctions,” he stated.
He directed the Abia State Road Traffic and Safety Management Agency (ARTSMA) and the Harmonised Taskforce to extend their daily operations to 10 p.m., including weekends, while deploying more personnel and resources on major roads.
“The Abia State Road Traffic and Safety Management Agency (ARTSMA) and the Harmonised Taskforce are hereby directed to extend their operational hours to 10pm, daily, including weekends, deploy more men and resources along all major routes in the State and ensure that traffic offenders are appropriately dealt with as stipulated,” the governor declared.
Otti also disclosed plans to establish an independent team to monitor compliance with the directive and assess how effectively it is enforced.
He warned that anyone whose actions endanger the lives and property of others through reckless driving or disregard for traffic rules would be held accountable.
The governor further charged officials managing the state’s transport assets to prioritise proper maintenance of the buses, terminals and bus shelters, while ensuring staff welfare.
He also directed that suspected cases of sabotage, vandalism and other criminal acts affecting transport infrastructure be thoroughly investigated and prosecuted.
Otti urged residents to fulfil their tax obligations, saying increased revenue would support the state’s development efforts and shared prosperity.
(The Whistler)