By Goodluck Ikiebe.
Governor Monday Okpebholo of Edo State has suspended the recently approved free bus services, three days after announcing the initiative across the state’s three senatorial districts.
The Chief Press Secretary, Fred Itua, initially informed journalists in Benin City that the governor approved the service as part of his administration’s efforts to support residents. However, in a follow-up statement on Wednesday, Itua urged the public to disregard the earlier announcement.
He explained that the suspension followed a briefing the governor received regarding operational challenges faced by the Edo City Transport Service (ECTS), the state-owned operator of the free bus program.
“The earlier statement announcing the approval of free bus services by the Governor of Edo State, Senator Monday Okpebholo, should be disregarded,” the statement read.
“The governor is being briefed on issues surrounding the operation of ECTS. For now, the free bus services have been placed on hold. A new decision will be communicated to the general public,”he said.
According to the statement: “The earlier statement announcing the approval of free bus services by the Governor of Edo State, Senator Monday Okpebholo, should be disregarded.
“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.
“For now, the free bus services have been placed on hold. A new decision by the governor will be communicated to the general public.”
