Fuel Subsidy: Edo govt begins free transport service

• Governor Godwin Obaseki encouraged residents to use Edo City Transport Ltd (ECTS) free buses
• The goal is to help people cope with the challenges arising from the fuel subsidy removal
  

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The Edo State government introduced a complimentary transportation initiative on Monday to ease the impact of the fuel subsidy removal.

During the launch event, Governor Godwin Obaseki encouraged residents to regularly utilize the free buses provided by Edo City Transport Ltd (ECTS).

This initiative aims to help people overcome the challenges brought about by the fuel subsidy removal. The governor was represented by Chris Nehikhare, the Commissioner for Communication and Orientation, during the event in Benin.

Governor Obaseki recently approved free transportation services for passengers on all routes operated by the state-owned ECTS. This service, initially set to run for two months, covers commuting within the Benin metropolis and other major towns in the three senatorial districts. The buses will operate between 6:30 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. daily.

Additionally, Edugie Agbonlahor, the managing director of Edo State Transport Authority, highlighted that while ECTC had previously offered free bus rides to primary and secondary school pupils, Governor Obaseki has extended this initiative to include everyone, with the goal of alleviating the difficulties caused by the removal of the fuel subsidy.

“Transportation has always consumed 50 per cent of parents’ budgets of parents. So, the gesture is to help so that they can channel this money to some other needs such as feeding and housing,” she said.

The transport service is expected to cover intra-city and intercity routes, including Auchi-Igalla-Ibillo-Ososo, Uzebba-Ikhin-Otuo and Abudu-Ubiaja, Abudu-Urhonigbe and Ewohirin to Ewatto.

The intra-city routes are Ramat–Kings’ Square; New Benin–King’s Square; King’s Square – Ekenwan Road; King’s Square–Airport Road; King’s Square–Sapele Road and King’s Square – Adesuwa.

Others are King’s Square–Ogida; New Benin–Upper Mission; King’s Square–Ugbowo; King’s square–Agbor Road; King’s square–Upper Sokponba; New Benin–Ugbowo and New Benin–Aduwawa.