“Omoku Experiences Surge in Traffic and Fare Hike as Transformation Under Prince Umejure Gains Momentum”
By Precious W Ahiakwo
Omoku, Rivers State – December 27, 2024. The festive season has brought with it an unexpected twist in the transportation dynamics of Omoku, a bustling town in Rivers State. Despite an arbitrary increase in the transportation fare from ₦1,500 to ₦5,000, the roads leading to Omoku have never been more crowded. Passengers are streaming into the town in droves, eager to witness and experience the transformation under the leadership of Hon. Prince Isaac Umejure.
At the Rivers Joy Park, Waterlines, the scenes are nothing short of historic. “I’ve been driving here for over a decade, and I’ve never seen anything like this,” said a commercial bus driver who wished to remain anonymous. “The rush is unbelievable. It’s like the whole of ONELGA is on the move. People are flooding into Omoku, and they don’t even mind paying the new fare. It’s incredible.”
The new fare, which would ordinarily send passengers fleeing to other destinations, has done little to dampen the enthusiasm of those eager to return home. One excited passenger, a young woman named Nnena, shared her thoughts with palpable excitement. “I don’t care about the fare hike. ₦5,000 is nothing compared to the energy I feel in Omoku now. I want to experience the change. I want to see what my town has become under this administration.”
Indeed, the atmosphere in Omoku is alive with a sense of hope and progress. Passengers, many of whom have been away for years, speak passionately about the positive changes they have heard about. “There’s a new feeling in the air in Omoku, a new vibe that I can’t wait to witness firsthand,” said Chijioke, another returning passenger. “The streets, the roads, the development – it’s all happening right there in Omoku. I just want to be part of it, feel it, and share in the joy of it all.”
Stranded passengers at parks such as RTC and Rivers Joy, as well as Waterlines, added to the frenzy. By 1 pm today, many were left waiting as all the buses to Omoku had been fully booked. One frustrated but hopeful passenger, Kelechi, stood at the park shaking his head. “This is crazy! I’ve been here for over an hour and there’s no vehicle to take me. But honestly, I don’t mind. I know the moment I get to Omoku, it will all be worth it. The changes there are making me so proud to be from ONELGA.”
Even some Nigerians in the diaspora are now eager to return home, motivated by the new atmosphere in Omoku. Many have made plans to visit during this festive season to witness the transformation for themselves. “My family in the UK is already planning a trip to Omoku,” said Ifeoma, a passenger who recently moved back to Nigeria. “We’ve been hearing about the developments under Prince Umejure, and we all want to be part of it. Omoku is on the map now, and we want to see it firsthand.”
The surge in traffic and the extraordinary fare hike are only a reflection of the new-found pride in Omoku and the ONELGA area. “I used to hear people speak about other towns in Rivers State, but now I’m hearing only good things about Omoku,” said Ugochukwu, who had not been home in years. “It feels like a renaissance, and I just want to be there to witness it, no matter the cost.”
The optimism and excitement surrounding Omoku’s rise are palpable. Though the fare has increased significantly, so too has the town’s vibrancy. Passengers, from locals to those returning from abroad, are all united in their anticipation of what the future holds for Omoku, a town once overlooked but now flourishing under the stewardship of Hon. Prince Isaac Umejure.
As one final passenger waiting at Waterlines expressed, “If Omoku can change this much, then there’s hope for the whole of Rivers State. This is just the beginning, and I can’t wait to see what comes next.”
Indeed, Omoku is witnessing a historic moment—one where its citizens, near and far, are coming together to celebrate the dawning of a new era.
Current transportation fare from PH to Omoku:
RTC 2500 but ran out of buses
Rivers Joy 3500 ( managing the crowded park with few buses left)
The one inside AKTC park, Sienna 5000, Bus 4000, yet non available but passengers already waiting
Others, no vehicle.