Dear Governor Peter Mba,
Complements of the season sir. I join millions of ndi Enugu to wish you a momentous Christmas filled with joy and peace of God.
Sir, Since you assumed office as governor in 2023, Enugu State has become a reference point for good governance and infrastructural development. The 2025 Nigeria Bar Association Conference held in the state recorded good testimonies of your landmark achievements. In fact, your government no doubt has made giant strides in critical sectors like hospitality, transportation, agriculture, ICT, road construction and in quality education. Ndi Enugu are glad to be part of this journey and like Oliver Twist expect more.
However, one decision taken by Enugu State government which in reality will hit everyone like thunder bolt come January 1, 2026 is the ban placed on buses and tricycles in most major roads within the state. Sir, the introduction of Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) powered buses for intra-state transportation of people, goods and services by government is highly commendable. CNG buses are environmentally friendly. Plying them in city reduces greenhouse emission which has become a global environmental challenge. It may improve the internally generated revenue of the state as well if managed properly.
However, any attempt to prevent other stakeholders from plying major routes within the city transport ecosystem by invoking the powers of state to take over substantial chunk of the sector providing employment for individuals and struggling group of people totally stifles competition. It shrinks further the informal sector potentials, daily and family incomes.
Nigeria is a vanguard of free market economy where forces of demand and supply converge to drive businesses. Let it not be seen that Enugu government tends to avoid healthy market competition. This government approach should not be seen to have reinforced monopolistic tendencies. Nothing stops government vehicles from operating side by side existing buses and tricycles. It will offer ndi Enugu better options to choose among many lots. That is practical democratisation of the transport system in practice. For the avoidance of doubt previous administrations of Chimaroke Nnamani and Sullivan Chime had done things similar. Today, the impacts of such policies can be seen in the absence or worse still relics of those vehicles parked for years in mechanic workshops.
Just as your government’s tax regime expanded revenue collection nets is a good policy for raising revenue for the state; it is also deserving of re-assessment considering the harsh economic realities on ground in Enugu. Government should not be seen to act in isolation or neglect of the economic indices which defines the living conditions of the governed.
What is needed from government is the creation of enabling environment and infrastructure to drive the system like the bus terminals already constructed in selected locations in the state. It is left for government to charge affordable transport fare very competitive with other buses. There should be robust mechanism which ensures that statutory levies are paid as at when due by bus drivers while a directive for everyone to patronise the Bus Terminals and decongest blocked access roads by commuters within the area will bring the needed sanity.
There are hardly jobs opportunities available at the moment in Nigeria nay – Enugu. Therefore, limiting the potentials of individuals striving to survive through transport entrepreneurship should be totally discouraged. If government goes on with it’s plan in January, the act will put more strain on the already strained lower stratum of the society and artisans who eke a living through private sector driven transportation system. Moreover, the relative peace and security ndi Enugu take for granted may be ruptured as a result of resurgence of crimes and criminality. The old aphorism that an idle mind is the devils workshop should not be taken for granted. Government should not be seen as an enabler of unemployrnent.
Those in government are humans beings prone to making mistakes while designing policies. They should as well be ready to face constructive criticism or critical advice especially when the policies espoused are anti-people. For now, major attention is gleefully paid to only praise singers who see nothing bad in everything government does. These are cheer leaders for every government who do what they know best and basically wait in anticipation of appointments. This has been the pattern in Enugu.
The state government in all honesty should create a feedback mechanism to enable it appreciate first-hand the impact of government from citizens responses. Government is advised to pay little attention to dissenting voices for in its stillness and loneliness lies the truth and good intentions for government to succeed.
Sir, this epistle is a passionate appeal for your government which is already on the map of good governance and development to reconsider the ban in the interest of families whose daily bread will be interrupted on account of this policy. A listening government should weigh options favourable to citizens on it’s policies before taking action. A level playing ground is the answer.
Accept the assurances of my best and esteemed regards, sir.
Sunday Onyemaechi Eze writes from Enugu-Ejona Village, Nkpologu, Uzo Uwani LGA, Enugu State
