By Brenda Chidinma Imo-Eze
The Acting General Manager of Ebonyi State Transport Corporation (EBOTRANS), Dr. Simon Idenyi, has appealed to the state government, under the administration of Rt. Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru, to release 13 buses used for COVID-19 projects to the State transport company.
Dr. Idenyi made this passionate appeal while speaking with newsmen in Abakaliki on Monday, March 11, 2024.
The EBOTRANS General Manager stated that since assuming office, the corporation has expanded its operations, increasing the number of vehicles from 8 to 21 buses and the number of parks from 7 to 14.
He expressed gratitude to the State Governor, Rt. Hon. Francis Nwifuru, for his numerous achievements since assuming office, adding that EBOTRANS has recorded magnificent improvement over the past few months.
Revealing the improvements in various areas, he stated, “at this point, I am happy to inform you that we improved on the progress of EBOTRANS from June 4th, 2023, to February 29th, 2024, in the following areas: we have increased vehicles from six to twenty-one, we pay internally generated revenue, and opened motor park depots from 7 to 14, along with renovations of depots, among others.”
He maintained that plans are also underway to establish parks in Cameroon and Ghana; unfortunately, the transport company lacks enough buses to carry out these operations.
Adding, “Altogether, we have about 30 active parks, but we have a problem. In all these parks, we have both the old ones, the new ones, and those we intend to open this month. We don’t have enough vehicles to ply those places.
“Currently, we have 21 vehicles; as such, we are not having enough to run those depots. The old fleets handed over to us were 8 in number; we repaired the rickety vehicle of 12 in numbers, and bought new Sienna 5 within the month of January.
“If we can get support from the State Government, we are going to open more parks so that our vehicles can ply those places and make life easier for Ebonyi people and other road users.
“That is why we are appealing to the State Government for the release of 13 old buses parked in the government house for Ebonyi State Transport Corporation (EBOTRANS) to repair and use,” he said.