ABUJA TO OWERRI BY ROAD: A TRAVELER’S GUIDE
For the majority, road travel is the easiest and cheapest way of getting around the country and while in this case, air travel is more convenient, a trip by road is cheaper and affords passengers a chance to take in the scenic route.
Abuja is the Capital City of Nigeria and the central City/State of the Country while Owerri is the Capital of Imo State which is located in the South-eastern region of the country.
THE BEST PLACE(S) TO GET AN OWERI -BOUND VEHICLE IN ABUJA * *Imo Transport Company: Located Behind Zuba Motor Spare Parts Market, Zuba, board a vehicle going in the direction and ask to be taken to the Imo State Transport Company at Zuba. Getting to the Park, you can find different types of Vehicles including the Long Luxurious bus (LLB), the minibuses and the Sienna minivans with prices going for 3, 500, 4,500 and 5,500 naira respectively. For the LLB, Bookings have to be made a day before the Journey to get a ticket for the first bus and there are just four Buses leaving from the Park daily. For the rest, you get to the Park and pay for a seat the usual way. Also, unlike most other parks this isn’t as crowded as most but you still have to be careful with your luggage. Also, make sure your luggage is kept to a minimum because in the Park you get charged extra money for more than one suitcase.
Peace Motor Park: Located at Utako, take a cab going to Utako and ask to be dropped at Peace park. After having dropped at the Park, go in and pay for a seat on any vehicle in the usual selection: Buses, Taxis and Sienna Minivans with prices ranging from 4,500-5,500 naira.
ABC Park : Also located at Utako, although in a different location, also take a cab going to Utako district, Zone 5 off Berger junction and drop at ABC park, not too far from Peace Park. Here you can find the usual range of vehicles as well as the luxurious buses. Prices here range from 4,500 -6,500 depending on the type of vehicle you’re travelling in.
Website: http://www.abctransport.com/
WHAT/HOW TO PACK
• Pack as few bags as possible for easy management and to save cost, Drivers tend to charge extra for really big bags (especially the taxi and minivan drivers) and extra bags.
• Make sure you get to the park on time so you can pick a seat of your choice.
When you get to the park you’ll be set upon by different *alabarus (porters loitering around waiting for passengers with heavy luggage) who’ll flat out demand to carry your bags to the vehicle going to your destination, you have a choice of firmly indicating a “No†with your head and walking past them or surrendering your bag(s) to them if they’re heavy, however be sure to keep a close watch on the porter and your bag(s)
Inform your driver of any fragile items in your bag. It also helps to watch as the bags are being arranged to ensure your belongings aren’t squashed in a corner or under other heavy luggage. Keep all valuables with you
On no condition should you have any sort of camouflage material with you as they’re banned and if found on your person, will lead to you being extorted for money by the policemen along the route and the vehicle being delayed.
Watch what you eat before travelling, it is better to err on the side of caution where public restrooms are concerned. While this is always a valid precaution, the trip to Abeokuta is a very short one.
Fill the personal information form that will be passed around beforehand. The transport company just might need to reach someone on your behalf.
TIME TAKEN
The trip from Abuja to Owerri usually takes approximately 8 hours, 30 minutes, taking into consideration road and weather conditions.
SNACK AND RESTROOM OPTIONS
There are a variety of snacks to pick from at the park and you can buy whatever you want beforehand. Also, there’s a rest stop along the way at Lokoja and past that, on the way to Owerri if you want to buy food, move about a bit and stretch your legs you can trust the driver to take you to where good food is being sold because drivers of commercial vehicles get free food at these stops along the way.
PERSONAL TIPS FOR THE FIRST-TIME TRAVELER TO OWERRI
Evacuate your bowels before leaving the house.
Make sure you fill the personal information form supplied to passengers and also take down the licence plate number of the vehicle and pass on to as many friends as possible (and make sure the driver sees you taking down the plate number)
Make sure your most valuable possessions are kept close to hand in a carryon or a small bag, not just because of theft but also because of the way items are stacked carelessly in the trunk.
I prefer sitting up front beside the driver, asides being the most comfortable seat in the vehicle, it’s also within easy reach of the charging port so you can listen to music, read, surf the internet (where coverage exists on the road) without running your battery flat. Barring that, leave the house with a full charge and a powerbank if you have one.
GETTING TO YOUR DESTINATION
Getting to Owerri, you can drop off at “Weathdral†from which you can get a bus/taxi to your eventual destination.
Have a Safe Trip!
