Governor Monday Okpebholo of Edo State has commissioned 56 new Toyota Hiace buses for the state-owned transport service, Edoline, as a part of efforts to enhance public transportation.
The disclosing, in line with the governor, is a part of a broader plan to accumulate 100 buses earlier than the top of February.
Moreover, the governor handed over 38 Toyota Hilux vans and 16 Prado Jeeps to safety companies within the state to boost crime-fighting efforts.
The commissioning ceremony, held on Wednesday in Benin Metropolis, was attended by the Edo State Deputy Governor, Hon. Dennis Idahosa; Minister of Works, Dave Umahi; former Edo State Governor and Senator representing Edo North, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole; Secretary to the State Authorities, Musa Ikhilor; Chief of Employees, Gani Audu; safety chiefs, high authorities officers, and celebration chieftains.
Talking on the occasion, Oshiomhole, who formally unveiled the automobiles, recommended Governor Okpebholo for his swift motion in fulfilling marketing campaign guarantees inside his first 100 days in workplace.
In accordance with Oshiomhole, “Criminals are cell, and safety companies should be geared up to match them. With these automobiles, our safety forces shall be simpler in tackling crime.”
The previous governor lauded Okpebholo’s management model, noting that the automobiles had been procured instantly with out counting on consultants or memoranda of understanding.
“Some previous administrations that borrowed closely couldn’t even purchase a single safety automobile. But, in simply 100 days, you may have achieved this for the folks of Edo,” he mentioned.
Oshiomhole additionally praised Okpebholo’s choice to revive Edoline Transport Providers, a state-owned transport system initially established throughout the administration of the late Samuel Ogbemudia.
“I attempted however couldn’t revive Edoline throughout my tenure. I used to be solely in a position to set up the Edo Metropolis Transport Service (ECTS), referred to as Comrade Buses, for intra-city motion. Seeing Edoline restored is a superb achievement, and I’m certain Ogbemudia’s spirit is smiling down from heaven,” he mentioned.
The previous governor added that the revival of Edoline would create competitors within the transport sector, providing Edo residents extra selections for inter-state journey.
“No particular person or non-public transport firm can maintain the folks of Edo to ransom anymore as a result of now, they’ve Edoline as an possibility,” he said.
Edo State Commissioner of Police, Betty Enekpen Isokpen Otimenyin, described the availability of safety automobiles as a well timed intervention within the state’s combat towards crime.
“We recognize the governor for matching phrases with motion. These automobiles will drastically improve our ongoing ‘Operation Rescue’ initiative, which is being carried out throughout Edo’s three senatorial districts,” she mentioned.
She assured residents that the police and different safety companies would intensify patrols in areas corresponding to Ubiaja, Uromi, Auchi, Oluku, Ring Highway, and Ramat Park to make sure security.
Oshiomhole, whereas expressing remorse over his previous help for Governor Godwin Obaseki, urged Okpebholo to proceed on his present path of governance.
“When President Bola Tinubu sees what you’re doing for the folks of Edo, he’ll know you deserve all of the help to do much more. You have to work arduous to not solely develop the state in your tenure but additionally recuperate the misplaced eight years below Obaseki,” he added.
