N2 billion Uduaghan mass transit buses abandoned

• N58m fraud unsettles Delta Line 

From NOSA ERESOYEN, Asaba

THE buses were launched with fanfare. And their impact were felt instantly. Some were dispatched to schools to convey children to and from home. Others were dedicated to long haul of students between Asaba and Abraka, the mainly students community ‎and then to Warri, the oil rich city.

Known as Uduaghan buses, they were purchased mainly from Nigeria’s vehicle maker, Innosson Motors, Nnewi, Anambra State and Marcopolo of Brazil. But no soon after former Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan’s tenure expired, most of the buses are off the road, some parked in a government quarter in Asaba, and whereabouts of the others totally unknown.

But, mum is the word from Governor Ifeanyi Arthur Okowa, who took over from Uduaghan on May 29, 2015. No government official has also come up with explanations as to why newly bought buses in top working condition have been parked for almost a year.

While the controversy rages, an alleged N58million fraud is currently making workers of the Delta State owned Transport Company popularly known as Delta Line uncomfortable.

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While the whereabouts of the Uduaghan Mass Transit Buses still remained unknown, tongues are wagging as to the rot in the company which used to be beehive of activities.
Sources said the company’s former General Manager Isaiah Iyione allegedly masterminded the sale of the company’s property in Lagos for N58million but the GM in a swift reaction, dispelled the claim as untrue and figment of imagination of his detractors.

It was gathered that the former General Manager allegedly signed several documents as regards the company’s properties, especially the broken down buses that were sold for millions of naira and not remitted to Government Treasury.

National Daily learnt that it was Governor Ifeanyi Okowa who uncovered the fraud when he paid an unscheduled visit to the company last month, January 2016.
Investigation revealed that 18 buses of the company have disappeared, a situation, the state commissioner for transport, Mr. Vincent Uduaghan said was already being looked into, adding: “We are investigating the alleged missing 18 buses and we will get to the root before making it public”.

Sources said that the 18 missing buses with the inscription Agu Transport Venture with Delta line stickers, were allegedly bought for commercial transport business to generate funds for the former General Manager.

Among other things, further investigation revealed, are the properties of the company reportedly leased for forty years by the former Board of the company under Ibori’s administration and later under one Friday Ani, among others.

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But a visibly angry Governor Okowa has ordered a thorough probe of the company’s accounts, purchase of vehicles and others to bring back its lost glory and stem the rot.
Meanwhile the battle for who to becomes the General Manager of the company had begun as over sixty persons have reportedly been jostling and intensifying lobby to make the list for interview allegedly slated for first week of March 2016.

It was learnt that one Isreal Umueri, a lawyer is allegedly getting support from highly placed politicians in the Delta South senatorial district where it is believed that whoever is appointed as the General Manager must come from.

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While the sudden disappearance of the Uduaghan mass transit buses presently portends nightmare for Governor Okowa and well-meaning Deltans, Investigations show that some of the buses have been converted to private use and have allegedly been taken out of the state to other states.

The buses were allegedly purchased for Two Billion Naira by former Governor Emmanuel Uduagha in 2014 to reduce the sufferings of commuters across the state, but this was not to be as the buses only ply the roads until the governor’s tenure expired before sudden disappearance.

A group under the aegies of Delta transparent’ in a petition to Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, signed by one prince Henry Okolie, a copy made available to our correspondent, urged the governor to probe the disappearance of the buses, adding that it will stop at nothing with a view to ensuring they are uncovered. But in a swift reaction, the state commissioner for transport, Mr. Vincent Uduaghan said “ we are looking into the issue of the buses and by the time we are done with our investigation, we will make it public before actions are taken.”