How Some Anambra Govt Officials Allegedly Profit from Illegal Parks in Onitsha, Sabotaging Soludo’s Plan

By Our Reporters

An investigation into the chaotic transport system around the Bridgehead axis of Onitsha has raised questions over the continued operation of illegal motor parks and roadside loading points despite the existence of a government-approved terminal designated to accommodate commercial vehicles, particularly those operating interstate routes.

Anambra State Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, is said to have approved the Omambala Line Bus Terminal at Bridgehead, Onitsha, as a designated motor park in a move aimed at restoring order to the area and ending the perennial traffic chaos caused by indiscriminate loading and parking of commercial vehicles.

However, findings by our reporters indicate that numerous commercial vehicles continue to load passengers along roads and at other unauthorised locations in the area, creating traffic bottlenecks and raising allegations that some highly placed government officials may be benefiting financially from the illegal operations.

According to figures obtained during the investigation, more than 300 commercial vehicles ply the Onitsha–Benin/Agbor routes daily, while about 800 vehicles commute between Onitsha and Asaba from the area every day.

With such a high volume of commercial traffic, operators and other sources familiar with activities in the area alleged that millions of naira could be changing hands through daily bookings, commissions, levies and other arrangements associated with the illegal loading points.

Some of the sources, who spoke on condition of anonymity for fear of victimisation, described the illegal parks as “oil wells” for certain government officials allegedly connected to their continued operation.

They questioned why commercial vehicles should be allowed to load passengers on public roads when designated motor parks and terminals are available.

“What we cannot understand is why vehicles are still loading on the roads when there are approved parks. Somebody must be benefiting from this disorder,” one of the sources said.

The situation, observers say, appears to run contrary to the Soludo administration’s vision of transforming Onitsha into a modern, liveable and prosperous commercial city.

They said,” For a city of Onitsha’s commercial importance and population density, an efficient transport system should go beyond merely removing vehicles from the roads.

‘A modern city requires properly planned and functional bus terminals, designated loading and drop-off points, organised bus routes, effective traffic management, modern bus stops, pedestrian walkways, functional traffic lights, road markings, parking facilities and strict enforcement against roadside loading.

“It should also have technology-driven traffic monitoring, digital ticketing and revenue collection systems, reliable public mass transit, clearly marked taxi and shuttle stands, park-and-ride facilities, adequate street lighting and an integrated transport system capable of moving commuters efficiently without turning major roads into motor parks.

“Such infrastructure and enforcement are considered essential to the realisation of the Governor’s ambition of transforming Onitsha into a smart and mega city.”

Critics argue that allowing illegal motor parks and roadside loading points to flourish not only worsens traffic congestion but also undermines government-approved terminals, encourages revenue leakages and creates opportunities for unregulated levies and alleged profiteering.

They maintained that the government cannot successfully modernise Onitsha’s transport system if individuals within or outside the administration are allowed to undermine official policy for private financial gain.

When contacted, the Anambra State Commissioner for Transport, Mr Edward Ibuzor, said he was aware of the development.

Ibuzor disclosed that he had summoned a top government official allegedly linked to the matter and was already handling the situation.

He also assured that he would personally lead an enforcement visit to the area as part of efforts to restore order.

The commissioner further expressed confidence that traffic congestion in Onitsha would become a thing of the past before the end of the year.

The development, however, raises broader questions about enforcement, accountability and the apparent resilience of illegal transport operations in one of Anambra State’s busiest commercial corridors.

For the Soludo administration’s smart-city vision to succeed, observers insist that approved transport policies must not only exist on paper but must also be enforced consistently, transparently and without allowing vested interests to sabotage the larger public interest.