Ebonyi State Commissioner for Transport, Prince Collins Igboke
By UKA NWAFOR, Abakaliki –
Ebonyi State Commissioner for Transport, Prince Collins Igboke, has clarified issues concerning the EBOCAB recently introduced by the Ebonyi State government; stating that the public transport service is not intended to displace commercial tricycle (Keke) operators in the state, but to serve a distinct part of the population yearning for more schemed transportation.
Addressing the newsmen in Abakaliki on Tuesday, June 3, 2025, Igboke who commended the journalists for seeking clarifications on the intention of the state government on their introduction of the digitalised transport scheme explained that EBOCAB is a state-owned initiative launched through a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) with Pidwin’s Company.
According to the commissioner, the state government, under the agreement, holds a 95% equity share while Pidwin Company retains 5%.
“EBOCAB is a new innovation for Ebonyi. It targets a more structured and possibly financially stable demographic. We are not sacking Keke operators—they remain accessible and more affordable for the common man. The two systems can function side-by-side,” he stated.
Reacting to the concerns from commercial tricycle operators, the commissioner emphasized that EBOCAB is not a replacement but an alternative for residents and others who prefer more advanced means of transportation that would ease their movements, especially for longer journeys or trips involving cargo.
“For instance, people visiting in-laws or transporting items like bags of rice or provisions might prefer EBOCAB, which uses mini-haulers. Meanwhile, tricycles remain ideal for quick, affordable inner-city travel,” he added.
Igboke noted that the introduction of EBOCAB is aimed at elevating transportation standards in Ebonyi, offering a more organized and tech-driven system to complement existing local models.
He further revealed that EBOCAB services could be extended to Enugu on demand, especially for airport pickups. However, such inter-state trips must be logged and approved by management for security and monitoring purposes.
He recalled that out of the 85 vehicles procured for EBOCAB, only 20 are currently operational, and thus, described this as a deliberate strategy to avoid congestion and evaluate initial public response.
“As patronage increases, more vehicles will be deployed. Releasing all 85 at once would overwhelm the roads,” he explained.
To enhance accessibility, Igboke announced that the EBOCAB service can be accessed via a mobile app available on the Google Play Store. The app enables users to book rides, select destinations, and make payments online.
Acknowledging the challenges of the digital divide, he also revealed the intention of the state government to establish physical booking points and Point-of-Sale (POS) terminals at key locations, including the International Market, Mile 50, PA Ngele Oruta Township Stadium, and other strategic areas.
“We’re partnering with Money Point to install payment terminals at these locations, where users can book trips and pay using their cards,” he concluded.
