No less than 1,572,000 residents of Edo State have benefited from the Free Bus Ride Scheme by the state government, which was part of the palliative programme to cushion the effect of fuel subsidy removal by the Federal Government.
The Commissioner for Communication and Orientation, Hon. Chris Nehikhare, made this known while addressing journalists in Benin, Edo state capital.
Nehikhare said 1,494,000 citizens benefited from the free intra-city bus ride while 33,000 benefited from the free inter-city bus ride, bringing the total beneficiaries of the bus palliative to 1, 527,000.
He noted that since the removal of fuel subsidy, the cost of living has gone high and life has become difficult for Nigerians, adding that “the free bus ride initiated by the Obaseki-led administration has reduced the suffering of Edo people. Spending on transportation has reduced.
“This free bus ride has become popular among Edo people. It is helping them save their transport money since the service commenced on the 11th of this month. We have had 1,494,000 passengers within Benin City, while 33,000 have benefited from the inter-city. 1,527,000 Edo people have been directly touched by these initiatives.
“We are pleased by the appreciation we have received from Edo people since the programme commenced.”
