The Abia State Government has unveiled plans to introduce Compressed Natural Gas (CNG)-powered buses as part of efforts to enhance the state’s transportation system.

This move comes in response to the recently implemented policy that restricts the operational hours of tricycles and motorcycles in the cities of Umuahia and Aba.

The announcement was made by the state Commissioner for Information and Culture, Okey Kanu, during a press conference held at the Government House in Umuahia on Monday, following a State Executive Council meeting.

Kanu explained that the introduction of CNG-powered buses is essential to bridge the transportation gap created by the new policy, which limits the operating hours of tricycles and motorcycles from 6 AM to 7 PM in Umuahia and Aba.

“As part of the initiatives and incentives to drive this new policy, the Abia Government plans to introduce CNG-powered buses to close up whatever gaps that will be created by the full implementation of this restriction policy,” he stated.

Security Concerns Prompting the Ban

The decision to ban tricycles and motorcycles during late hours stems from growing concerns over security. Tricycles and motorcycles have frequently been implicated in criminal activities, including armed robbery and kidnapping, which often occur under the cover of darkness. By restricting their operation to daylight hours, the government aims to curb these security threats and create a safer environment for residents and businesses in Umuahia and Aba.

To ensure a smooth transition and maintain extended business hours in Aba and Umuahia, the Abia State Government has postponed the enforcement of the restriction policy from July 1 to August 1. This decision, according to Kanu, is in response to public feedback and is aimed at allowing more time for adjustment and preparation.

Kanu also mentioned that tricycle and motorcycle operators interested in the CNG-powered buses could access them by forming cooperatives and working in clusters.

“The bottom line will be to access these buses so that there will be no gaps in terms of people missing out on earning income,” he explained.

This measure ensures that commuters can move around the state, particularly in Aba and Umuahia, once the restriction orders take effect, thus mitigating any potential disruptions to income generation for operators.

Preparations and Registration

Preparations for the policy’s enforcement include the enumeration and registration of all commercial vehicles, a process that has commenced as planned. Kanu noted that these steps are crucial for the official implementation of the restriction policy on August 1.

Backstory of the Restriction Policy

A week ago, the Abia State Government announced a ban on the operation of tricycles and motorcycles in Aba and Umuahia from 7 PM to 6 AM, effective July 1. The primary aim of this decision is to improve security by curbing criminal activities often facilitated by these vehicles during late hours.

A key component of the policy is the compulsory registration of all commercial vehicles, enabling the government and security agencies to accurately identify owners and operators, thereby enhancing security and accountability.

To oversee the implementation of this policy, a government committee has been established, chaired by Navy Commander MacDonald Ubah (Rtd), the Special Adviser to the Governor on Security. The committee’s primary role is to ensure effective compliance with the new regulations by all commercial vehicle operators throughout the state.

A bill proposing the creation of Etiti State in Nigeria’s South-East geo-political zone was read for the first time during a plenary session in the House of Representatives on Tuesday.

Sponsored by five members of the House—Amobi Ogah, Miriam Onuoha, Kama Nkemkama, Chinwe Nnabuife, and Anayo Onwuegbu—the bill seeks to carve out the new state from the existing Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu, and Imo states.

The proposed Etiti State would encompass 11 local government areas (LGAs) drawn from the five states, with its capital to be located at Lokpanta. The bill aims to amend three sections of the 1999 Constitution, altering the number of states from 36 to 37, and adding “Etiti” to the list of states following Enugu. Additionally, it seeks to reassign the relevant LGAs from their current states to the new state.

The LGAs affected include:

1. Abia: Isuikwuato and Umu-Nneochi
2. Anambra: Orumba North and Orumba South
3. Ebonyi: Ivo and Ohaozara
4. Enugu: Aninri, Awgu, and Oji River
5. Imo: Okigwe and Onuimo

The Struggle for Six South-East States

For years, the Southeast has been advocating for the creation of an additional state, arguing that the region’s status as the only zone with five states among Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones has led to significant federal allocation disparities. This imbalance has cost the region trillions of naira and spurred renewed calls for equitable state distribution.

The last state creation in Nigeria occurred in 1996 under the regime of the late General Sani Abacha. Since then, the Southeast has consistently demanded another state.

Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, the apex Igbo socio-cultural organization, has been a vocal proponent of this cause. It said the creation of a new state in the southeast will not only correct the imbalance in state allocation that has historically relegated the zone to a lesser status but also pave a new path for Ndigbo in the Nigerian polity.

Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, reiterated this demand at a retreat in Enugu in April, expressing dissatisfaction with the 1999 Constitution and threatening legal action if the federal government fails to create an additional state.

Legislative and Constitutional Hurdles

The challenge of creating a new state in the region, among other things, has been largely attributed to the rigidity of the 1999 constitution.

Creating a new state in Nigeria involves a rigorous constitutional process. Section 8(i) of the 1999 Constitution stipulates that a request for state creation must be supported by at least a two-thirds majority of representatives from the Senate, the House of Representatives, the House of Assembly, and local government councils from the area demanding the new state.

Furthermore, the proposal must be approved in a referendum by a two-thirds majority of the area’s populace, followed by a simple majority approval from all states of the federation and a two-thirds majority approval in both houses of the National Assembly.

In recognition of the challenges associated with state creation, delegates at the 2014 National Conference recommended amending the constitution to simplify the process. They specifically endorsed the creation of an additional state in the Southeast to promote reconciliation, equity, and justice. The conference suggested that state creation should ensure parity between geopolitical zones and be based on the economic viability of the proposed state, considering its natural and human resources, land, and water mass.

The introduction of the Etiti State bill follows the recent passage of the South-East Development Commission Bill through its third reading in the House of Representatives. The National Assembly’s ongoing efforts to amend the 1999 Constitution aim to address long-standing issues, including the perceived marginalization of the Southeast region.

While the journey towards creating Etiti State is fraught with legislative and constitutional challenges, the bill’s progression to its first reading marks a significant milestone. This development has rekindled hope that the Southeast’s persistent call for a new state may finally be answered, potentially rectifying historical imbalances and fostering greater regional equity.