The administration of Ebonyi State Governor, Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru, is receiving widespread acclaim for its strong dedication to achieving gender-balanced governance and advancing human capital development across the state.
Unprecedented Women Inclusion in Leadership
This commendation was voiced on Monday by Mrs. Nnenna Igwe, the General Manager of the Ebonyi State Transport Corporation (EBOTRANS). Speaking with journalists in Abakaliki, Mrs. Igwe extolled the Governor for fostering an era of unprecedented inclusion for women in leadership positions.
She described this strategic inclusion as a clear demonstration of the high value Governor Nwifuru places on women. His appointment of the first female Deputy Governor and the first female Secretary to the State Government were highlighted as landmark achievements, alongside her own emergence as the first female General Manager of EBOTRANS since the state's creation.
Mrs. Igwe also applauded the humanitarian efforts of the First Lady, Chief (Mrs.) Mary-Maudline Nwifuru. Through her BEWO Foundation, the First Lady is championing women's empowerment and social welfare. A key initiative includes the recent enrollment of more than 10,000 women into a skills acquisition program, alongside the construction of houses for widows in the state.
Transformative Reforms at EBOTRANS
Detailing her first year in office, Mrs. Igwe announced sweeping reforms that have repositioned the state-owned transport agency for greater efficiency. She inherited a poorly functioning system with a largely grounded fleet of dilapidated vehicles.
Under her stewardship, targeted interventions have been executed to restore and expand operations. Nine old Sienna vehicles and nine old buses were fully refurbished and returned to active service, a major step in enhancing transport availability for commuters and reducing vehicle downtime.
The corporation has also significantly expanded its route network. New routes have been opened, including the highly demanded Ebonyi–Lagos route, which was previously unavailable. Additional routes in Izzi LGA and Ezzamgbo in Ohaukwu LGA have further broadened the corporation's reach within and outside Ebonyi State.
Enhanced Capacity and Staff Welfare
Mrs. Igwe attributed much of this progress to the direct support of Governor Francis Nwifuru, particularly the provision of 20 new Hiace buses that have substantially strengthened the agency's operational capacity.
Noting an increased passenger preference for Sienna vehicles, she revealed ongoing plans to acquire additional units to meet public demand.
Significant improvements in staff welfare were also confirmed. All state-approved salary increments under Governor Nwifuru’s administration have been fully implemented within the corporation. To enhance road safety, Mrs. Igwe organized comprehensive medical examinations for all EBOTRANS drivers in partnership with specialists from Alex Ekwueme Federal University Ndufu-Alike Ikwo (AE-FUNAI). The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) also conducted training for drivers on road safety and professional conduct.
