ECTS To Revive Inter State Transit
By Editor
The Edo City Transport Service have stated their intention to revamp the operation of the inter state transit service at subsidized rate across the country.
This was made know during a media briefing by the Managing Director of the Agency.
The Managing Director Barr.Festus Ehimua acknowledging the present hardship which is as a result of fuel subsidy removal and assured the people of Edo state that the state government is committed to the welfare of its citizens and doing everything possible 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 recently employed MD speaking with Journalist stated the transport agency commitment to serving Edo people efficiently, stating that much has been done to reduce stress and bring comfort to the people which 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 further 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.
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.