Edo Digitalizes Transport System

By Ayodele Oni

Edo State Government is set  to bequeath a legacy of cashless and digitalised  road transport network in the State.

The Deputy Governor, Philip Shaibu, made this known in Benin at a meeting with stakeholders in the road transport business in the state.

The stakeholders were invited  to brainstorm on how the operators, especially bus drivers can key into the new regime of using newly constructed modern bus terminal.

The modern bus terminal, built in Benin, is said to be first of its kind in Nigeria and is due for commissioning soon.

According to the Deputy Governor, ” this is a one stop shop for commuters  in the state. The park is complete with all the necessary modern facilities like shops, security post, fire service center, water, restaurants and designated areas for sales of spareparts for the buses.

“In fact, it will have regular light supply because it’s hooked up to Ossioma Power Plant.”

The park is expected to  service both intra and inter-city commuters.

Shaibu pointed out that the park was supposed to be a joint effort between the state government and the two approved road transport unions in the state ( NURTW & RTEAN).

Unfortunately, he lamented that the unions failed in their own obligation, hence the state government’s resort to the private sector, using the PPP approach to build the park.

The deputy Governor said Edo state has remained a model among the 36 states, because it has scored first in different fields of human endeavours.

“As I speak, five states have come to under study our public transport system. We are proud to say it loud any where.

“We digitalised our public transport system and made it cashless about five years ago. We did not end it there, an executive Bill was sent to the House of Assembly so as to institutionalise it. Today, it has become law which we must all work with.”

He charged the stakeholders to make the new park work the way they have been operating the new law in the last five years, adding that more modern parks are under way across the state for the safely and comfort of commuters.

Stakeholders at the meeting were leaders of NURTW, RTEAN, MD of ECTS, MD of EDSTMA, Transport Ministry, Army(S&T Barracks), Chairman, ERS and Managers of Benin Central Park.

They all pledged their support for government’s efforts to modernise and sanitise the road transport system in the state.