Onitsha transport operators back motor park digitisation, urge govt to ease economic burden
By Sunny A. David, Awka
Major transport operators in Onitsha, Anambra State, have thrown their weight behind the state government’s proposed digitisation and standardisation of motor parks, describing the initiative as a significant step towards improving transparency, efficiency and service delivery in the transport sector.
The operators, who spoke in separate interviews, expressed their willingness to support government policies aimed at modernising the state’s transport system. However, they called for measures to address the economic and operational challenges currently affecting transport businesses.
Those who spoke included Mr Felix Ikejiaku of Onitsha South Mass Transit, Mr Okeke Ezeudo of Star Sunny Motors, Romchi Mass Transit Depot Manager, Mr Barnabas Itodo, Mr Jekwu Chukwu and Mr Onyekachukwu Emena of Ifeanyichukwu Transport.
While welcoming the proposed reforms, the transport operators identified rising fuel prices following the removal of fuel subsidy, insecurity, multiple taxation and the activities of transport touts as some of the major challenges affecting their businesses.
According to them, these difficulties have contributed significantly to declining passenger patronage, particularly at night, and have made commercial transportation increasingly challenging.
Ikejiaku said the volume of passengers using their services had dropped considerably in recent years.
He recalled that his company previously loaded as many as 50 buses daily, but now averages about 20 buses.
He also expressed concern over the activities of transport touts, alleging that their harassment of operators and passengers was discouraging people from patronising motor parks.
Ikejiaku expressed optimism that the newly appointed Commissioner for Transport would address the issue of multiple taxation and introduce policies capable of creating a more conducive business environment for transport operators.
Similarly, Itodo linked the decline in passenger traffic partly to the growing use of online transactions and waybill services.
He explained that many people now prefer to send goods through waybill services rather than travel personally, thereby reducing the number of passengers visiting motor parks.
The operators appealed to the Anambra State Government to introduce additional measures that would stimulate growth in the transport sector, reduce the financial burden on operators and improve their livelihoods.
Despite the challenges, the transport stakeholders unanimously reaffirmed their support for the proposed digitisation and standardisation of motor parks.
They expressed confidence that the reforms could improve accountability, curb sharp practices, strengthen park management and enhance the overall efficiency of the transport system.
However, they urged the government to ensure that the reforms are accompanied by practical economic measures that would address the difficulties confronting transport operators and make the sector more sustainable.
