IBADAN TO PORT-HARCOURT BY ROAD: A TRAVELER’S GUIDE

For the majority, road travel is the easiest and most convenient if not the cheapest means of getting around the country, particularly these two cities. Ibadan is the state capital of Oyo state and the largest city in the country located in south-western Nigeria while Port-Harcourt is the capital and largest city in Rivers State located in the South-central region of the country.

THE BEST PLACE(S) TO GET A PORT-HARCOUT-BOUND VEHICLE IN IBADAN

Ifesinachi Park: Take a cab/bus from Agodi Gate going to Sango and drop at the Park located at Oremeji, just before the Mokola roundabout. The most common type of vehicle in the park going to Port Harcourt is the fourteen –seater “hummer bus”. The route at the Ifesinachi Park takes the Niger Bridge and passes through Asaba - Onitsha - Owerri
Ifesinachi will drop you off at Mile 3

Iwo Road Park: Located, as the name implies, at Iwo Road. Take a cab going to Iwo Road, stop on the Iyana- Ife (Ife-junction) bridge and make your way down to the Park. The type of vehicle most common at the Park going the Port Harcourt route is the Sienna Minivan.
The Vehicles moving from the Iwo Road Park pass the Warri- Ughelli-Calabar route.

N.B: The prices at both Parks go for 5,000-7,000 depending on the kind of vehicle you’re travelling in.

WHICH MOTOR PARK TO CHOOSE

Of the two motor parks, you can make a choice by which route you prefer to go by and where you want to be dropped off at.

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.

• 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 Ibadan to Port-Harcourt usually takes about 10hrs 30 mins, taking into consideration road and weather conditions.

SNACK AND RESTROOM OPTIONS

You can make a selection from a wide range of snack choices at either park, from barbecued meat to Gala and drinks. The drivers will usually stop at Ore and Benin for Bathroom and snack breaks.

PERSONAL TIPS FOR THE FIRST-TIME TRAVELER TO PORT-HARCOURT

• 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 valuables 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

Depending on which Park you’re travelling from, the drop-off points are different, from Ifesinachi Park you’ll get dropped of at Mile and from the Iwo Road Park you’ll get dropped off at Rumuokoro. If neither of these are your eventual stops you’ll still get a bus going in your direction from any of these two bus stops.

Enjoy your trip.

Related: Minna to Ilorin By Road: A Traveler's Guide

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