Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, on Tuesday commissioned the newly revived Edo Line Transport Company, a project spearheaded by Governor Monday Okpebholo as part of efforts to rejuvenate moribund state-owned enterprises.
Edo Line, originally established in 1968, had been grounded since 2010, with its staff redeployed to the state Ministry of Transport in 2017.
Governor Okpebholo, fulfilling his promise to revive defunct institutions, has now injected 100 brand-new buses into the fleet.
Speaking at the commissioning ceremony held at Central Park in Benin City, Wike commended Governor Okpebholo’s commitment to development and service delivery, noting that the revival of Edo Line was a strong reason for residents to support President Bola Tinubu’s re-election.
The FCT Minister also expressed admiration for the people of Edo State for backing Okpebholo, recalling his own personal experience of using Edo Line in 2007 to travel to Abuja.
According to him, “I don’t identity with Governors that have failed. I don’t identity with failures. I identify with those who mean well for their people.
Concentrate on your work. Don’t relent. Make sure you change the narrative,.
Performance brings hatred, performace brings jealousy.
“What you are doing is touching lives of the people. You have brought back Edo Line.
“It is not coming out of television to say I am supporting Asiwaju. You must show in concrete terms how Asiwaju will win election. In Edo, what you are doing is giving confidence to the President that Edo people will support him. I watch the construction of fly over. It is possible to have five fly overs in Edo. Show the difference. I finished from office and I do not owe any debt.
Performance is not theory, it is seeing tangible projects.”
The former Rivers Governor said he provided all the logistics for Peter Obi when he was Governor of River State.
On his part, Governor Okpebholo said his police escort was shot dead during the campaigns when he ignored advice of then Commissioner of Police to remain at the Benin Airport.
He insisted that former Governor of Anambra State, Peter Obi, must inform him before coming to Edo State.
Okpebholo said his job included protection of lives of all edo people and visitors coming to the state.
The Edo Governor said his comments were not threat to Obi but a simple advice.
According to him, “I don’t need to read encyclopedia for people to understand what I was saying. My job is to save lives including all edo people and visitors coming to Edo. If telling him as the Chief Security of this state is a crime, so be it. I have no regret about it. I repeat it before coming to Edo notify me. It is not a threat. We have made our statement clear.
“I went through this same process. I was adviced when I came to the airport by then Commissioner of Policeman to remain at the airport. I ignored the advice and went out. My policeman escort was shot dead before my eyes. I have advised the former Governor of Anambra State, if he likes let him take it if he likes let him dwell on social media it does not concern me.
“I thank Wike for standing by Edo people. The dream of Edo Line would have not been possible if I do not have a father in the President of the country. The man who love Edo people and the South South.
“I simply said, it is an advice. Don’t come to Edo without telling me. My job is not only to work for Edo people but to save the lives
Speaker of the Edo Assembly, Blessing Agbabaku, assured the Governor that the assembly would made more money available to buy more buses for Edo Line.
He said they were aware the Governor would use the money judiciously
