Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti, has commissioned 20 additional electric buses into the State’s Green Shuttle fleet and announced the extension of the operational hours of the Abia State Road Traffic and Safety Management Agency (ARTSMA) and other traffic enforcement agencies to 10:00 p.m. daily, including weekends.

The commissioning ceremony was held on Thursday at the Nnenna Otti Bus Terminal in Umuahia.

Speaking at the event, Governor Otti described transportation as a key driver of economic growth and social development, reaffirming his administration’s commitment to building a modern, efficient and environmentally friendly transport system for the people of Abia.

He warned against vandalism, sabotage and traffic violations, stressing that his administration would not tolerate actions capable of undermining the state’s transportation system.

“No one has the right to violate traffic regulations or endanger the lives and property of others. Beating traffic lights, driving against traffic, overloading and reckless parking will attract severe sanctions,” the governor said.

To strengthen enforcement, Otti announced the establishment of an independent monitoring team to evaluate the activities of traffic enforcement agencies and recommend further actions where necessary.

He also directed the inter-agency transport management team to safeguard government transport assets, ensure proper maintenance of buses and terminals, prioritise staff welfare, and prosecute anyone found sabotaging public infrastructure.

“Whoever attempts to drag us back to the darkness of the past will have a very difficult time. We are determined to close the gap between where we are and where we want to be,” he stated.

The governor recalled that the state’s first fleet of electric buses was launched in December 2025, noting that the addition of 20 more buses marks another milestone in closing Abia’s transportation gap.

According to him, the newly commissioned buses feature larger cargo compartments and accessibility facilities for persons living with disabilities, while offering affordable, safe and reliable transportation within and outside the state.

Otti said the decision to adopt electric buses was driven by the need to provide cost-effective transportation, protect the environment and position Abia at the forefront of clean energy and technological innovation in the transport sector.

He added that the reforms introduced over the past seven months have transformed public transportation through orderly queues, technology-driven payment systems and dependable services comparable to global standards.

The governor also urged residents to pay their taxes, stressing that sustainable development depends on active collaboration between citizens and government. He assured transport operators that his administration remains open to dialogue over genuine concerns affecting their operations.

Earlier, the Commissioner for Transport, Dr. Chimezie Isaac Ukaegbu, described the event as another milestone in Governor Otti’s vision of transforming public transportation through innovation, clean energy and people-centred policies.

He said the additional buses would boost intra-city and inter-city transportation, providing affordable, safe and comfortable services for commuters across the state while promoting cleaner air through zero-emission technology.

Ukaegbu commended the governor for investing in a future-oriented transport system and assured residents that the buses would be professionally managed and properly maintained. He also urged the public to protect government assets and encouraged transport operators to maintain professionalism and comply with road safety regulations.

The event was attended by government officials, stakeholders and other dignitaries from across the state.