The Enugu State Government has announced plans to restrict the movement of tricycles (Keke), yellow buses, and minibuses from five major highways across Enugu metropolis, as preparations intensify for the rollout of the state’s Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system.
The Commissioner for Transport, Dr. Obi Ozor, disclosed this during a consultative meeting with transport unions and stakeholders held at the ministry’s headquarters in Enugu on Monday.
He listed the affected corridors as Okpara Avenue–Abakaliki Road–New Haven Junction–Naira Triangle–Emene Airport; Ogui Road–Chime Avenue–Naira Triangle; New Haven Junction–Bisala Road–Rangers Avenue–WAEC–Nkpokiti–Zik’s Avenue; Ogui Road–Presidential Road–WAEC–Nkpokiti; and the entire length of Agbani Road.
According to him, these roads will be designated as exclusive BRT routes in line with Governor Peter Mbah’s ambition to transform Enugu into a modern, multimodal, and globally competitive city.
Dr. Ozor emphasized that tricycles were never intended for high-speed corridors and their continued use on major highways endangers commuters and disrupts traffic efficiency.
“We must be open to change. This reform is not about taking anyone’s job. It is about reorganizing the system so that BRT buses operate on primary roads, yellow buses serve secondary routes, and tricycles provide last-mile connectivity. Everyone has a place in the value chain,” he said.
He revealed that the government had procured 200 CNG-powered BRT buses and 4,000 electric taxis to be assembled locally at ANAMMCO in Enugu, with the first 1,000 units expected within three months.
Dr. Ozor added that the Mbah administration had constructed 84 new bus shelters across the city, forming the backbone of a safe, comfortable, and affordable public transport network. He noted that Enugu, with an estimated two million daily commuters, requires at least 8,000 buses to meet its mobility needs.
He stated that the new BRT buses come with padded seats, reliable air-conditioning, WiFi, and stringent safety features.
“Passengers do not stand in these buses, and every vehicle is tracked and monitored from our central command and control centre. The BRT fare now comes with a 47 percent discount to cushion transportation costs for citizens,” he explained.
Announcing resolutions from the stakeholders’ meeting, Dr. Ozor said transport unions interested in BRT operations or terminal management must submit proposals with financial models for government assessment.
He further disclosed that the Ije Card, the state’s electronic fare system designed to make commuting faster and cashless, would be decentralized to reach five million residents within 90 days.
The commissioner acknowledged delays in allocating loading bays at the new transport terminals, assuring that proposals were being reviewed and that allocations would be finalized soon. He encouraged unions to access financing and acquire buses or participate in BRT operations.
“There are enormous investment opportunities as Enugu expands its connectivity to other cities,” he said.
Transport union leaders present at the meeting expressed broad support for the government’s vision.
The Enugu State Chairman of the Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria (RTEAN), Comrade Chidiebere Aniagu, said the union aligned with the state’s modernization plans but appealed for the concerns of members to be addressed.
His counterpart in the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), Engr. Augustine Agu, praised Governor Mbah’s pace of development.
“Governor Mbah has done in two years what others could not do in eight years. His private-sector discipline is evident. We fully support him,” he stated, while urging the government to consider the union for BRT bus and terminal operations.
Representing the Amalgamated Tricycle Riders Association, Comrade Kingsley Edeh noted that the state has 18,000 Keke riders and requested that taxis be made available to members wishing to transition. He welcomed the government’s assurance that no operator would be displaced but reorganized into a more efficient system.
To conclude the meeting, Dr. Ozor inaugurated a joint review committee of ministry officials and transport union representatives to finalize operational guidelines ahead of the full deployment of the BRT buses on dedicated routes. The launch date, he said, would be announced soon.
