A new substantive Managing Director has been appointed for the state-owned mass transit outfit, New Edo Line, making it the third such appointment since the company was formally launched on July 25, 2025.
The appointment of Engr. Paul Ogedegbe as Managing Director was announced in a press statement issued and signed by the Secretary to the State Government, Umar Musa Ikhilor, Esq.
The first Managing Director, Ms. Imuetinyan (Tinyan) Otuomagie, was appointed on June 10, 2025, ahead of the official launch, but was removed on January 15, 2026, after about seven months in office.
She was succeeded by Mr. Smart Aigbodion, who was elevated from General Manager (Maintenance) on January 16, 2026, before his appointment was terminated on October 18, 2026.
The latest change means the transport company has had three substantive heads in less than 15 months, a development that has triggered concerns among stakeholders about stability and policy direction.
Critics have questioned whether the frequent turnover is due to the governor being difficult to work with or the appointees lacking the requisite capacity to manage a commercial transport enterprise.
According to them, irrespective of the reasons, the rate of removal does not inspire business confidence and is unhealthy for institutional memory, staff morale and investor perception.
They warned that the pattern mirrors the factors that led to the collapse of the old Edo Line, which was once a pride of the state but gradually declined and became moribund.
Observers recalled that excessive government intervention, political interference in day-to-day operations, frequent changes in leadership and lack of operational autonomy crippled the old company and made it unviable.
They therefore urged the present administration to allow professional management, ensure minimal political interference and provide a stable environment for the new management to revive and sustain the New Edo Line as a commercially viable venture.
