By PAMELA EBOH, Awka

Following the digitization of its operations, the Anambra State Ministry of Transport has uncovered no fewer than ten previously undocumented government-owned motor parks

This is coming on the heels of the state government’s plans to introduce compressed natural gas (CNG) and electric buses to reduce transportation costs for commuters in the state.

According to the Commissioner for Transport, Hon. Edward Ibuzo, the digitization exercise exposed significant gaps in the ministry’s records.

He noted that it had made it difficult for the government to account fully for its parks and address revenue leakages.

Ibuzo stresses that the ministry’s records had previously been managed manually, thereby creating room for financial leakages and inadequate documentation of government assets.

He added, “We found out there were a lot of leakages because everything was analogue. So, we started digitization, and in that process, we found out that so many government parks were undocumented.”

“The exercise has increased the number of officially documented government-owned parks from 40 to 52.

“The ministry is also using digitization to tackle the activities of touts and unauthorised park operators, who often operate under different identities.”

While noting that government had introduced identity-bearing vests for park operators, Ibuzo explained that the measure made it easier to identify those authorised to work in motor parks across the state.

He said: “We now have a digitized vest with clear identity of park operators, and they must wear the vest on duty.

“The measure would help the government identify park operators and curb misconduct, with implementation scheduled to commence on Friday, October 9, 2026.

Speaking on efforts to reduce transportation costs, the commissioner disclosed that plans to introduce CNG-powered and electric buses were already at an advanced stage.

“We have a plan to bring CNG and electric buses. We are 60 per cent gone into this and it will be launched from now till December. The buses will provide transportation for the people at a competitive rate across major transit routes in the state.

“The initiative is expected to provide commuters with more affordable transportation options along major transit routes in Anambra, although the commissioner did not disclose the proposed fares or the number of buses to be deployed.

“The government was modernising selected motor parks and upgrading them into transportation terminals to improve facilities and service delivery, he stated.

The Commissioner further said that beyond road transportation, the ministry was exploring ways to develop the state’s waterways, particularly in riverine communities where water transport has significant potential.

He further said that the state had recorded no revenue from its waterways, prompting plans to digitise operations and improve management.

His words: “We had zero revenue from our waterways. So, we are digitizing our waterways and hoping to get some jetties for effective transportation around the riverine.”