TRACAS is assuming greater heights – Ekume

Transport sector plays crucial role in the socio-economic development of any nation. Apart from the movement of goods and services from one destination to another, the sector generates employment and revenue.
In this interview, the Group Managing Director, Transport Company of Anambra State (TRACAS), Amaechi Ekume, who is SSA to Governor Willie Obiano (Akpokuedike) on Environment, Town Planning and Urban Development highlights the importance of this sector, prospects, how TRACAS responds to the challenges, as well as the way forward.
Excerpts:


Transport sector is of great socio-economic importance in the movement of goods and service, in revenue generation, even in employment. What are some of the challenges facing you since you came on board as the TRACAS Chief Executive office?

Thanks so much. There are challenges and challenges, and challenges but the important thing here is that challenges are meant to be surmounted. Prior to my coming in as the CEO of TRACAS, the place was nothing to write home about, it was almost quite suppressed. In fact I don’t know whether there were attempts to suppress the transport company so that, other transporters would take over transportation in Anambra state. But thanks to God that we have an ebullient, committed and dedicated Governor in the person of the executive Governor of Anambra state, Chief Willie Obiano who has the interest of the people of Anambra state at heart and who is committed and determined to see TRACAS alive and progressive, who has all its takes to move the transport company forward and is quite ready and willing to do so. He wants Anambra State to grow so he sent me here to turn the place around. I took over the mantle of leadership here on the 21st of July this year to be precise, and since then I have been doing everything to see that the fortunes of TRACAS are turned around. TRACAS should ordinarily be one of the most successful and progressive transport companies in Nigeria but unfortunately it didn’t get the needed attention from the right quarters, prior to present administration.
That is not going to be so with the Obiano value-driven and development-oriented administration which is determined to turn Anambra state around for the better. And all hands must be on deck now to see that TRACAS grows, prospers and attains the level it deserves in the scheme of things not only in Anambra state but in Nigeria in general. As you rightly mentioned in your opening remarks transport sector plays vital role in the sustainable growth of any economy, both advanced and underdeveloped economies. The sector moves goods and services from one place to another, it provides employment to thousands of people and generates revenue. That’s the reason the state government has taken adequate measures to reposition TRACAS. You can see the transport company is moving, progressing with government’s robust intervention.
What measures is your office taking to tackle these challenges vis-a-vis solutions to these challenges?
Well it stands now TRACAS needs vehicles of its own to make it compete favorably in the scheme of things. So far, His Excellency the Governor has provided some buses, those red buses, presently there are 21 of them and additional 21 are being brought making them 42. And the governor is not providing these buses for us to make profit -no- he wants the people to benefit from them from these largesse. And to ensure people actually benefit. he has directed that these buses ply at various destinations they cover at half the fare and we are complying, sticking religiously to that. The governor wants the people to enjoy the benefits of good governance-here, he has shown that the welfare of the people is paramount, and people are enjoying it, sorts of people, you can see traders, artisans, civil servants alike, infact everyone – the dividends of democracy in the state are for everyone. And we are trying to put many things in place to make sure the transport company grows from strength to strength by improving on the available, existing infrastructures in place, in tact we are trying to develop more loading base, more parks, as a matter of fact we are even planning to build state -of- the arts motors parks for TRACAS. That will generate a lot of revenue, generate employment and better enhance the economic well being of the people. Staff are being trained and re- trained to ensure better service delivery, to have good attitude to work, attitudinal change not just that kind of just- do-it-anyhow type of work where people come in, do things half hazardley and go without minding whether the company works or not, how it works, whether it progresses, succeeds not even when you can see that TRACAS staff are being paid attention to, salaries are being paid them as and when due and staff are being given adequate training (capacity building).
We would like to know your operational base? Where does your company operate? What routes do you cover?
Nigeria is our constituency. As a matter of fact the mission of the government is to go into water transportation, air transportation, rail transportation and you know the saying that if you can dream you can get it done, so that is the mission. We are dreaming it and we believe it will eventually come to fruition.
What is your assessment of Obiano administration generally, not necessarily in the transport sector, how do you see it? Progressive? Dynamic? Stalled?
The Obiano administration in summary is a blessing to Anambra state and to Nigeria in general. Quite a number of governors are copying the Obiano model of governance, so we say kudos to the governor who has accomplished so much within so short a time. Look at the buses he has provided and they help the citizenry a lot. As I said earlier they pay half the fare. Even there are buses for civil servants, buses that convey them to and fro their offices. This is the first time workers in the state are enjoying such largesse from the government and you see many taxis, many of them, why I’m saying this is to tell you that the Obiano administration takes cognizance of the importance of efficient transport system to the people. For now everyone is happy for it. And you know, it generates employment, for the big commercial buses; you talk of the drivers, the conductors, the loaders, ticket sellers, store officers name them, these are employees who wouldn’t have gotten the job had his Excellency not put in place these buses and taxis. He should keep the good work going, but the citizens have important role to play in this regard- I’ll come to this later. We are proud of him. We are proud of being Ndi Anambra since the inception of his administration. Then as I said earlier we the citizens have our contributions to make – by being peaceful, law abiding and discharging our civic responsibilities such as paying our taxes, rates and other levies promptly to support the government, and be loyal to the government. I have said it often and on that everything shouldn’t be left for the government alone, like the present administration which is out, quite determined to serve the people, which is working assiduously to improve the well-being of the people, it is the duty of every citizen of Anambra state to be supportive of it, ones religious, ethnic and political affiliations notwithstanding. You know provision of the much desired dividends of democracy to the people and protection of their lives and property are the hallmarks of good governance, and that is the goal of this government. In addition to fulfilling our responsibilities, it is also the duty of the masses to support the governments unmatched, unparalled Joint Security Network which is adjudged the best in the country, a model by reporting suspicious movements to law enforcement agents and also using the security number 122 when necessary. In fact, all over the world no government does it alone in terms of provision of the things needed for the people, the democracy dividends, good roads, water, electricity, quality education name them. The citizens should do their own bit and let me chip in something here, as you know we are into transportation and one factor that contributes to the success of this sector is good road network. And our governor has done a lot in this regard. All state roads are well rehabilitated. The governor is physically seen here and there inspecting one road or the other, look at the flyovers almost completed, and the State Road Maintenance Agency (ARMA) is repairing those sections of the roads that need attention. All these help transport business grow, it reduces wear and tear, cuts down the cost of repairs and enhances the life span of the vehicles.
Transport business all over the world is highly competitive. In Nigeria it seems all state governments are into it, and private companies even play dominant role in the sector, how far are you getting on with your passengers? Do you get the deserved patronage?
Yes, well you are quite right, no passengers there is no TRACAS. So far so good, we thank God that the patronage has greatly improved with the new scheme of things, new buses in place better attitude of the workers to duty. I thank our passengers. The, public appreciates TRACAS more now than before and I believe we’ll maintain this tempo. I thank the good people of Anambra state for this patronage and the Executive governor for his unprecedented support to us at all times, and give the assurance that we will not let them down.
It is generally said that the staff is the life wire, the engine room of any organization. What can you say about your staff, and management-their relationship, how cordial?
Well, the relationship between the management and staff I will say is quite cordial, in fact perfect. The management is happy with the staff and the staff is happy with the management. We are all one family working with one major objective, prime mover-to move TRACAS forward, to move Anambra State forward. But you know there is always room for improvement. There is no perfect human being. There is always something to be improved upon. I have my shortcomings. You have your own short comings, everyone has his or her own but with dialogue, with understanding and with the same focus, same goal and we work as a team then definitely the state will be the better for it, TRACAS be the better for it. People are now looking on TRACAS as a serious transport company quite ready, willing to offer quality service and we’re determined to satisfy them, so we are counting on the co-operation of everybody, so 1 you find anything not acceptable in your fellow worker, speak up and definitely it can be ironed out, it will be sorted out, the maximum joy, safety and satisfaction of our passengers is our ultimate goal and we are on, moving on, ah forward. Thanks to his Excellency the governor who has put in place all machineries, measures, all that is necessary to enable TRACAS move forward. And if I can digress a bit here, I always tell the staff to do their best always, be dedicated, punctual, and serious, avoid truancy, absenteeism, even lateness to duty. You know the situation of the country now, in fact the world generally with great crash, fall in oil price and its attendant grave, consequences. Time is hard, where ever you find yourself do your job to the best of your ability. I can say boldly here that the present serious, determined and focused administration in the state has no room for lazy works. And I quickly warn that we are here for business. If you are not ready to work, you leave, present TRACAS administration has no room for indolent and lazy staff. Even the 2008 global economic meltdown is still with us here in Nigeria, in all countries of the world, its serious consequences, are still there, mass unemployment, huge job cuts, budget deficits, etc etc and above all white collar job rapidly going into extinction in a very challenging era when everyone should be serious. So every TRACAS staff must work hard at least to reciprocate government kind gesture, great positive intervention in the transport company.
Your drivers, any word of advice to them vis a vis their relationship with their passengers, even the ticket sellers.
Well they know without passengers we will have no job. TRACAS wont function. So they will be polite, humble, courteous, sociable, honest- this are vital human attributes that make a difference in any enterprise, that will make any organization move forward, prosper. They should exhibit those attitudes that are acceptable to the passengers. They should behave like those serving the public, you know if your are serving the public their interest will be paramount. And if one staff lags behind this adversely affects others. It is a joint responsibility and all hands must be on deck. Everyone should wake up.
Christmas season is approaching. It is generally seen as a period of boom for transporters. Any words for your workers this coming season?
In as much as it is a period of boom for movement of goods and services for passengers, I think being alive should be of paramount concern to everybody. If you are not alive you should not enjoy the Christmas, no matter the boon you make out of it. So in as much as you should make the best of the season, caution should be your watchword. Drive carefully, you should drive safely so you should arrive your destination safely with your passengers. Safety should be your watchword so that in the long run you will enjoy the Christmas. So to all TRACAS drivers I tell them to always obey traffic rules and regulations, and to the letter; don’t over speed, don’t overtake at dangerous bends, corners; drive cautiously. There is the general saying that if you are driving you are also driving for the other drivers ie do not claim you are right. Remember the other driver can drive dangerously and if you are at alert you can avert any dangerous situation by the grace of God. Be yourself it is often said. Don’t drink while driving, be focused. If you behave well, drive well, government will be proud of you because yours is a government company. It is nor a private company. If private transport company drivers misbehave on the road behave well, show them yours is a government company. In fact there is a way you’ll behave and they learn from you, follow your example, and that simple act of yours can bring about changes in their attitude, every time remember you are serving the public.

RAY UDEAGBALA