How Gov. Okpebholo’s Transport Reforms Are Rewriting Edo’s Business Story - By Abdul-Kadir Abdullah

The roar of engines at the New Edo Line terminals marks more than just a return to the roads, it signals a monumental shift in the economic trajectory of Edo State. 

Under the leadership of Governor Monday Okpebholo, the state is witnessing a strategic transport reform that is not merely about mobility, but about reclaiming a lost heritage to fuel a modern commercial explosion. 

For a state that serves as Nigeria’s vital "gateway", the geographic nexus connecting the South-West, South-East, and the North, transportation is the very heartbeat of survival. By prioritizing this sector, the Okpebholo administration is directly addressing the primary artery of Edo’s economic life.

The centerpiece of this transformation is the resurrection of the New Edo Line. After nearly fifteen years of silence and "comatose" operations, the administration has breathed fresh life into the institution with the procurement of 100 brand-new buses. This is a calculated economic intervention rather than a mere cosmetic upgrade. By reopening vital inter-state and intra-state routes, Governor Okpebholo has directly addressed the "logistics premium" that previously hindered local traders. These reforms are the engine room of the SHINE agenda, focusing on Security, Health, Infrastructure, Natural Resources, and Education, ensuring that goods and people move safely and affordably across the state’s strategic corridors.

To understand the weight of this revival, one must look back at the foundation that once made Edo a national leader. 

The original Edo Line was established in 1968 as the Midwest Line by the late visionary, Dr. Samuel Osaigbovo Ogbemudia. For decades, it was the gold standard of public service in Nigeria, a nationally recognized brand that served as the lifeline for students, civil servants, and the legendary traders of Edo State. The collapse of this institution over a decade ago left a void that spiked travel costs and stifled the movement of goods. 

Governor Okpebholo’s current reforms do not just mimic this history; they honour it by adapting Ogbemudia’s pioneering spirit to the demands of the 21st-century marketplace.

The impact of these reforms on the Edo business environment is already visible through increased logistics efficiency and cost reduction. For Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), the availability of reliable, state-backed transport means more predictable supply chains and faster access to regional markets. 

Furthermore, affordable public transport reduces the overall cost of living; when transport fares drop, disposable income for residents increases, directly stimulating local demand for products and services. Beyond the commuters, the revival has reactivated a massive employment ecosystem, supporting a network of mechanics, spare parts vendors, and terminal-based small businesses that had long been displaced.

Ultimately, infrastructure is a language that investors understand. By reviving a brand as prestigious as Edo Line, the Okpebholo administration has sent a clear message: Edo State is open for business. The state is no longer a mere bypass for travelers; it is becoming a functional, mobile hub where the cost of doing business is actively being driven down by smart governance. 

The rebirth of Edo Line proves that under Governor Monday Okpebholo, the state is no longer stagnant. Markets are reopening, routes are active, and the economy is back in motion, bridging the gap between a glorious past and an innovative future.