Anambra Transport Commissioner, Ibuzo Meets Transporters, Park Operators, Promises Change

The Anambra State Commissioner for Transport, Honourable Eddy Ibuzo, has met with public and private park operators, transporters, and key government agencies in Awka for an interface on achievements, challenges, complaints, and the way forward in the state’s transport sector, while urging transporters and private park operators to comply with government directives, especially in the payment of taxes and dues as directed by relevant agencies, and promising to look into the complaints and challenges raised during the meeting.

The Commissioner, Honourable Ibuzo, explained that the change the transport sector deserves has come, noting that he would protect the interest of a better Anambra, as the state government is currently doing so much in road infrastructure and security, positively impacting the transport sector, while emphasizing that the revenue needed to sustain the good works must be generated and that all parks must be registered and operate within the ambit of government directives.

On the issues of parks, designated passenger pick-up points, and the continued harassment of motorists by some state agencies such as the Anambra State Traffic Management Agency (ARTMA) and the Special Anti-Touting Squad (SASA), the Commissioner, Honourable Ibuzo, promised to look into the matters and tackle the challenges head-on in collaboration with the agencies, while also emphasizing that the government will not, in any way, shield defaulters.

The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Transport, Michael Obiekwe, remarked that the transport sector in Anambra State must align with the vision of the state government, especially with its efforts to modernize the sector, describing the interface as critical to charting a way forward.

Some transport and park operators who attended the event, including Chief Kenneth Obianodo, Manager of Young Shall Grow, Onitsha, and Sir Chidi Onumajuru, General Manager of Eastern Mass Transit, appreciated the Commissioner for the meeting and his promise to address the challenges faced by transporters and park owners, while also urging members to always comply with government directives and calling on the government to be firm in enforcement in order to engineer change.

The meeting was also attended by the Managing Director of ARTMA, Engineer Emeka Okonkwo, and a representative of the Anambra State Internal Revenue Service (AiRS), who took time to explain the agency’s operations and its expectations from transporters and park operators.