Governor Monday Okpebholo has decided to suspend free bus services across the three senatorial districts in Edo State, just three days after the implementation of the initiative.
In an official statement issued to journalists in Benin City on Wednesday, the Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Fred Itua, indicated that the free bus services were approved as part of the administration’s efforts to benefit residents.
However, in a subsequent statement released on Wednesday, Itua advised the public to disregard the previous announcement regarding the service.
He explained that the suspension was prompted by a briefing the governor received concerning the operational issues related to the Edo City Transport Service (ECTS), which manages the free bus services.
“The earlier statement announcing the approval of free bus services by the Executive Governor of Edo State, His Excellency, 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,” the statement noted.