Fuel subsidy removal: Residents commend Obaseki’s free transport service

Residents of Benin metropolis have commended Gov. Godwin Obaseki of Edo, for introducing free transport service to cushion the effect of fuel subsidy removal on the people in the state.

The residents spoke in separate interviews on Wednesday with our reporter in Benin.

Mrs Agnes Ogieator, a trader at Oba of Benin market, said provision of free transport service was one of the best steps the governor had taken to cushion the effect of the hardship orchestrated by the new fuel regime.

According to her, “I used to spend nothing less than N5,000 on transport on daily basis before the flag off of the free transport service.

“That is history now, thanks to Gov. Godwin Obaseki for this initiative to reduce the hardship as I have now channel that N5,000 to other expenses.”

Also speaking, Mr Gabriel Enalogholase, a media practitioner, said he appreciated the new development initiated by the governor.

According to him, it is not everyone that can afford the recent hike in transportation.

“Obaseki has done well as this will create an avenue for some persons to cut cost and save for better days.”

On her part, Mrs Joy Idemudia, a judiciary staff, said because of bad roads in the state and hike in fuel, she had parked her vehicle and keyed into the free transport service provided by the state government.

“I conveniently board the free bus in front of my house at Ekewam road on daily basis straight to king’s square, thereafter join another one on Aduwawa axis to my office without paying a dime.

“In the evening when going home after close of work, I also still join the free bus home, I say thank you to our governor,” she said.

Other beneficiaries also commended the state government for the initiative.

They said Edo people are being relieved of the burden of high cost of transportation as a result of the rise in the cost of petrol occasioned by the fuel subsidy removal by the Federal Government.

It was reported that the free transport scheme operates between 6am and 7pm daily, covering all ECTS operational routes, both intra-city and inter-city routes, including Auchi – Igarra – Ibillo–Ososo; Uzebba–Ikhin – Otuo, and Abudu-Ubiaja, Abudu-Urhonigbe and Ewohirin to Ewatto.

The intra-city routes are Ramat–Kingsquare; New Benin–Kingsquare; Kingsquare – Ekenwan Road; Kingsquare–Airport Road; Kingsquare–Sapele Road and Kingsquare – Adesuwa, Kingsquare–Ogida; New Benin – Upper Mission; Kingsquare–Ugbowo; Kingsquare–Agbor Road; Kingsquare–Upper Sokponba; New Benin – Ugbowo and New Benin–Aduwawa.