…Revamps Services Within Benin Metropolis
Edo City Transport Service has disclosed that plans are underway to revive Inter- State transit at government subsidized rates to help cushion the current high transportation rates across the country.
Addresing the press in a conference the Managing Director of the agency, Barr. Festus Ehimua acknowledged that the present hardship occasioned by high cost of transportation as a result of fuel subsidy removal.
Mr Ehimua said Edo state government is concerned about the welfare of its citizens and working round the clock to address it.
He said, “we met 8 hiace buses and all were grounded. We intend to fix them. We have sent 2 for fixing already and we intend that by February ending or so, those buses will come and we will start inter-state again, gradually.
“However, the governor has promised that he is going to buy us buses and we are sure he is doing something about that and we will get new buses soon. He has very good intention and that is to give the people of Edo State, reduced cost of living and transportation is one of the ways we can mitigate this high cost of living. One of the reasons things are very expensive today in the market is the high cost of transportation
So the governor has the intention of making sure there is reduced transportation for Edo people so that, the cost of living will also be reduced. So he is working very hard to ensure that before the end of February, we get new buses, CNG buses to be able to give Edo people, a better living”, he said
The MD who took over office recently, said a lot of effort have been made to revamp the transport agency and reposition it to ensure efficient services and serve to Edo people better stressing that, the comfort and wellbeing of Edo people is not negotiable.
According to him, “I was recently appointed and the purpose is to do our best to ensure we put the company to shape. When I came in, we had 47 buses out of which only 12 were functioning. The rest were grounded and it was like ECTS was sleeping. But I can tell you, that we have had sleepless night, working and ensuring that ECTS come back to life.
“There are over 30 buses on the road now as we speak from 12. We have been doing all within our power to ensure we decongest the park and we will do alll to ensure we fix thee remaining buses that are still on ground.
He assured Edo people that the ECTS bus would soon be made available to more routes within the city capital and other parts of the state as governor Monday Okpebholo was in the final state of purchasing more maintenance friendly CNG buses in addition to the revamped buses.
He Stressed that these buses would make transportation cheaper for Edo people, as the cost of fueling CNG buses is cheaper, a development which he noted would lead to further slash in the price of transportation.
Commending the effort of Governor Okpebholo in fixing the bad roads within the Benin metropolis, the MD said, the ECTS buses will be able to cover more routes and longer distances as the road takes on new look. He noted that this would afford more Edo people, the opportunity to access and make use of the highly subsidized ECTS buses.
He also emphasized the resolve of the new administration to ensure effective maintenance and sustenance of the transportation services by ensuring the purchase of standard buses with easily accessible body parts, which he noted was a major departure from the past.
On their part, commuters appreciated the state government and the new management for the improved services which have made their recent experience with the transport agency better and more enjoyable and sued for its sustenance .
Staff of the Agency also expressed delight and satisfaction with the pragmatic approach of the new management which they noted, have not only helped revamped the almost moribund agency, but injected new life into the system, through a convivial and cordial working environment, which they noted have led to improved staff motivation and efficiency
