The governor of Edo State, Godwin Obaseki, said that the state government has started steps to increase its fleet of buses that are powered by compressed natural gas (CNG) in reaction to the recent removal of fuel subsidies by the federal government. As stated in Governor Obaseki’s Independence Day speech, these extra buses are meant to strengthen the state’s free transportation programme.
Governor Obaseki emphasized that his administration is actively implementing policies and programs to address the challenges posed by the federal government’s fuel subsidy removal. One of the key initiatives is the introduction of a free transport service, which covers all routes operated by the state-owned Edo City Transport Service (ECTS).
Speaking about the impact of this scheme, Governor Obaseki expressed satisfaction with its salutary effects on the residents of Edo State. The free transport service spans 13 intra-city routes and numerous intercity routes, serving towns and villages within the state’s three senatorial districts.
During the first two weeks of the palliative program, over three hundred thousand (300,000) residents have benefited, with projections indicating that over 1,500,000 residents will benefit within the initial two months of the initiative.
To accommodate the increasing demand for the free transport service, Governor Obaseki revealed that new orders for additional CNG-run buses have been placed.
