Abia Rolls Out Electric Buses, Moves to Reassure Tricycle Operators

As Abia State prepares to introduce electric buses into its urban transport system, the state government has moved to calm fears among tricycle operators, insisting that the new initiative is designed to strengthen, not threaten, existing modes of transportation.

The assurance was given on Tuesday in Aba by the Commissioner for Transport, Dr. Chimezie Ukaegbu, during the 2025 reward and empowerment ceremony of the Abia State Tricycle Operators Union (ASTOPU), held at the Aba Town Hall. He explained that the electric buses being deployed by the state would operate alongside tricycles, providing mass transit services while allowing operators to continue their daily activities.

According to the commissioner, tricycle operators, particularly in Aba, remain an important part of the state’s transport ecosystem, noting their cooperation with government policies and security agencies. He said the administration would continue to protect their interests through collaboration between the Ministry of Transportation and the Office of the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Transportation.

Ukaegbu’s comments come as the state government concludes plans to roll out the first batch of electric buses under a state-owned mass transit scheme, which will initially offer free rides to residents during the Christmas and New Year festive period. The initiative, announced earlier by the Commissioner for Information, Prince Okey Kanu, is expected to position Abia as the first state in Nigeria to operate an electric bus system owned and managed by the government.

The buses, each with a seating capacity of 40 passengers, are designed to cover long distances on a single overnight charge and will be deployed on major routes across the state. The first 20 units have already arrived, with additional batches expected in early 2026 as the government targets a fleet of 100 buses in the first phase of the project.

Also speaking at the ASTOPU event, the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Transportation, Dr. Obioma Nwaogbe, commended tricycle operators for their cooperation with the present administration, particularly in revenue contributions. He said the union stands to benefit from further government interventions beyond road infrastructure.

Security agencies at the event, including representatives of the Nigeria Police Force and the Federal Road Safety Corps in Aba, praised the union for sustained collaboration, which they said had helped reduce traffic crashes and improve safety on the roads. They also cautioned motorists against reckless driving and speeding.

Earlier, ASTOPU Chairman, Comrade Victor Azubuike, said the ceremony was organised to recognise honesty among operators, revealing that 164 tricycle riders had returned valuables forgotten by passengers. Beneficiaries of the gesture were rewarded with bags of rice, while key stakeholders received awards for supporting the union.

By linking the rollout of electric buses with direct engagement of tricycle operators, the Abia State Government appears to be positioning its transport reforms as inclusive, signalling that modernisation efforts will proceed without sidelining existing players in the sector.