Free Bus Rides: Edo Govt Makes Volte Face, Suspends Operations

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The Edo State government has put on hold the previously announced intra-state free bus rides for the people of the state in the three senatorial districts.
A statement on Tuesday signed by Fred Itua, the chief press secretary to Governor Monday Okpebholo, had stated that the free bus services would be provided by the state-owned Edo City Transport Service (ECTS) within Benin metropolis and to different parts of the three senatorial districts.
No further details were, however, given in respect of how it would operate in terms of take-off time and point of joining the buses.
The initiative, Itua stated, was part of Governor Okpebholo’s drive to entrench his policy direction, “A NEW EDO HAS RISEN”, and his commitment to enhance the welfare of all Edo people.
According to the statement, “The bus services will ease the transportation stress. Our people who plan to move around within the Benin metropolis and out will be able to do that without any extra financial burdens.
“Edo Central like Ekpoma, Iruekpen, Irrua, Uromi, and other places are also part of the routes the free transportation services will cover.
“Edo North is fully captured. Agbede, Auchi, Okpella, Fugar, and other parts of Edo North are covered in the free transportation scheme of Governor Monday Okpebholo.”
However, in a volte face on Wednesday, Itua, in another statement, said “The earlier statement announcing the approval of free bus services by the Executive Governor of Edo State, His Excellency, Senator Monday Okpebholo, should be disregarded”.
Itua said “The Governor is being briefed on issues surrounding the operation of the State-owned Edo City Transport Service (ECTS), operators of the free bus services.
“For now, the free bus services have been placed on hold. A new decision by the Governor will be communicated to the general public”.