Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki, has approved the extension of the free bus scheme implemented by the state government for another three months.
The free transport scheme, now extended to July 2024, was introduced in September 2023 for an initial two-month period to cushion the effect of the fuel subsidy removal by the Federal Government on the people of the state.
Following the success of the first phase, which benefited over 1.5 million Edo people, the governor thereafter extended the palliative programme till February 2024 and later April 2024.
The free transport scheme covers all intra and intercity routes operated by the state-owned Edo City Transport Services (ECTS), including Auchi-Igarra-Ibillo-Ososo; Uzebba-Ikhin-Otuo, and Abudu-Ubiaja, Abudu-Urhonigbe and Ewohimi to Ewatto.
In a statement, the Managing Director of Edo State Transport Authority (ESTA), Mrs Edugie Agbonlahor, said the extension was in furtherance of the government’s commitment to the welfare of Edo people, noting that the free bus scheme would run till July 2024.
She said: “The decision is on the back of the success and feedback that have trailed the eight-month programme and in furtherance of the government’s commitment to the welfare of Edo people, especially in the face of recent economic challenges caused by the Federal Government’s fuel subsidy removal.”
