The Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has approved the extension of the free bus scheme implemented by the state government for another five months.

With the extension, the scheme will now run until November 11, 2024.

According to a statement issued by the governor’s Special Adviser, Media Projects,, Crusoe Osagie, on Monday, the free transport scheme 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 1.5m Edo people, the governor thereafter extended the palliative programme to February, April and later July 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.

The intra-city routes are Ramat–Kingsquare; New Benin–Kingsquare; Kingsquare – Ekenwan Road; Kingsquare–Airport Road; Kingsquare–Sapele Road and Kingsquare – Adesuwa, Kingsquare–Ogida; New Benin – Upper Mission; Kingsquare–Ugbowo; Kingsquare–Agbor Road; Kingsquare–Upper Sokponba; New Benin – Ugbowo and New Benin–Aduwawa.

The statement added that the Managing Director of Edo State Transport Authority (ESTA), Mrs. Edugie Agbonlahor, said the extension which followed the success and feedback of the programme in nearly one year, is in furtherance of the government’s commitment to the welfare of Edo people.

The statement further stated that the governor has graciously approved the extension of the free bus service till November 11, 2024.

“The decision is on the back of the success and feedback that have trailed the nearly one-year 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,” Agbonlahor said.

Agbonlahor encouraged all residents to take full advantage of the extended period of free bus service while assuring them of the government’s commitment to ensuring the welfare and well-being of the people. (The PUNCH)

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