Okpebholo suspends free bus services 48-hour after announcement

Barely two days after approving free bus services across Edo State’s three senatorial districts, Governor Monday Okpebholo has suspended the initiative.

The decision was announced on Wednesday by the governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Fred Itua, who initially released the statement introducing the policy. The free bus services, operated by the Edo City Transport Service (ECTS), were part of the administration’s plans to ease transportation costs for residents.

However, in a follow-up statement, Itua urged the public to disregard the earlier announcement, citing operational concerns surrounding ECTS.

“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),” the statement read.