Otti Targets Rail Revolution as Umuahia Central Bus Terminal Nears Completion

Abia State is poised for a major transformation in its transport architecture as Governor Alex Otti advances an ambitious plan to modernise mobility and reshape urban life in Umuahia.

At the heart of the initiative is a proposed partnership with the Nigerian Railway Corporation to develop a modern rail station within the city centre. Strategically located near the emerging Central Bus Terminal, the facility is designed to integrate rail services with a dynamic commercial hub, incorporating retail outlets, business spaces, and improved access roads to enhance connectivity across the capital.

Commissioner for Information, Okey Kanu, said the rail project forms part of a broader urban renewal agenda aimed at repositioning Umuahia as a well-structured city with an efficient and sustainable public transport system.

Complementing the rail project is the near-completion of the Umuahia Central Bus Terminal, which will serve as the backbone of the proposed “Green Shuttle Bus Scheme.” The initiative is expected to introduce a cleaner and more organised transport network, featuring charging stations, structured ticketing systems, upgraded road junctions, and strategically located bus shelters.

In tandem with these developments, the state government is implementing a reorganisation of commercial activities within the city. Traders currently operating at Isi Gate are being relocated to the newly developed Relief Market in Afara.

Officials confirmed that compensation has been paid, while critical infrastructure, including perimeter fencing and retaining walls, is progressing steadily.

The integrated transport and urban renewal strategy signals a deliberate effort by the Otti administration to reduce congestion, stimulate economic activity, and position Umuahia as a modern urban centre aligned with evolving mobility standards.