One year after, Obaseki fails to deliver promised CNG buses

Benin, Edo – Barely a year after Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki disclosed that his administration has placed orders for new Compressed Natural Gas (CNG)-buses to boost Edo City Transport Service (ECTS) fleets as well as it free transport scheme, nothing has been heard of the governor's promise.

Obaseki, who made the disclosure in his 2023 Independence Day address to Edo people, noted that the initiative was part of the state government's policies and programmes to cushion the adverse effects of fuel subsidy removal by the federal government.

“Over three hundred thousand residents have benefited from the scheme in the first two weeks of the palliative programme, while we expect over 1,500,000 residents are projected to benefit in the initial two months of the free transport initiative. We have placed new orders for additional CNG-run buses to increase the fleet.”, Obaseki announced in a statewide broadcast

Recalled BENDEL Mirror reported in April, that the state government revealed that the CNG buses already ordered would capture persons living with disabilities (PWDs), as they would come with ramps for easy access for wheelchair-bound physically challenged persons.

Director of transport planning in the state transport authority, George Aghahowa who represented the managing director, Edugie Agbonlahor at an event by Edo Disability Forum (EDF) had made the revelation while reiterating Obaseki's commitment to welfare of Edo PWDs.

According to him, "right now we are in the process of procuring additional 50 units of CNG buses, brown new ones which is going to be added to the present fleet. That will now make more buses available for the people and what we have thought of at the end of the day is that by the time these buses are coming, we have given specification to the people that is going to handle it that some of these buses should come with ramps; to be accessible to physically challenged especially those on wheelchairs".

However, barely six weeks to the end of Òbaseki-led administration, residents are still hoping to see the brown new CNG buses to join the already existing old fleets popularly called 'Oshiomole bus', at a time when transportation fares have skyrocketed due to the increase in pump price of petrol.

Meanwhile, the state government has announced that this year's Independence Day will be celebrated low-key in line with the Federal Government’s stance on the Day's celebration due to the harsh economic conditions Nigerians are passing through.

"As a result, there will be no formal march past and other activities that usually accompany such celebration.

"Trade, Labour Unions, schools and other stakeholders who usually participate in these activities on the Independence Day are by duty put on notice by this announcement.

"Government wishes all Edo people Happy Independence Day and urges all lawful citizens to mark the celebration in accordance with extant laws in the State.", Joseph Eboigbe, Secretary to Edo State Government said in release, Monday