UNIZIK: Prof Esimone gifts staff, students transport relief

By Chukwudi Adubeze

The days of sitting, standing endlessly at motor parks and transport routes may finally be over for staff and students of Nnamdi Azikiwe University with the introduction of UNIZIK Commercial Motor transport, www.odogwublog.com reports.

The new transportation scheme will take off with no fewer than 200 brand new buses that will oversee the transportation of students and staff to locations, destinations of their choice in the country apart from plying the university environment.

According to information obtained by www.odogwublog.com, the idea for the 200 brand new buses was born out of the Vice- Chancellor, Prof Charles Okechukwu Esimone’s desire to turn around the risks and difficulties staff and students experience in their travels around town and for holidays as well as to introduce air of comfort and safety to the University community in such travels.

www.odogwublog.com gathered that the university agreed on a deal with undisclosed investors on the principle of Public Private Partnership (PPP) where there would be an annual supply of brand new buses from the investors for use in the institution.

The Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka, Adminstration, Prof Joseph Ikechebelu and Director of Business Ventures and Consultancy Services, Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka, Dr. Uche Ngenegbo confirmed this separately to www.odogwublog.com.

Addressing the University Community during the flag-off earlier in June 2021, Prof Esimone explained that the 200 buses would be renewed at intervals while the bookings would be digitalized. He maintained that the introduction of the new UNIZIK transport would alleviate travelling hitches experienced by the staff and students of the institution.

Similarly, the Director of Business Ventures and Consultancy Services, Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka, Dr. Uche Ngenegbo informed that preparations are ongoing to introduce cycling for students of the school if the measures needed for it to prosper are viable.

Explaining the modus for the cycling, especially with the presence of loads of mini buses and thousands of tricyclists in the school, Dr Ngenegbo informed that a sound road track would be built by a certain investor who he said was negotiating with the university management.

“A certain investor is making enquiries over the possibility of introducing cycling as a means of enhancing easy students’ movement within the Nnamdi Azikiwe University Campuses, Dr. Ngenegbuo said.

He also informed that the cycling will not affect the activities of shuttles and tricycle operators in the institution but to provide alternative to the students. He also informed that logistics such as the hazards and creation of routes for the skidding students are still being considered before the full introduction of the cycling system in the institution.