Elegbede Abiodun
Cross River has suspended all taxation on commercial mini-bus operations.
In order to attend to the economic burden on residents and commercial transport operators, the Governor of Cross River State, Senator Prince Bassey Edet Otu, has announced comprehensive reforms for the state’s transport sector.
The governor’s intervention comes amidst escalating concerns voiced by commercial drivers and residents throughout Calabar metropolis regarding steep ticket prices, harsh fines, and unprofessional enforcement methods.
This, last week, led to peaceful protests and the blocking of major roads by mini bus drivers and tricycle operators, popularly known as Keke operators, in the metropolis for several hours before government intervention.
At the core of the new policy is a notable reduction in daily operational tickets. From Monday, March 9, 2026, the daily tickets for commercial buses will decrease from ₦850 to ₦500. Likewise, tricycle (Keke) riders, who previously paid ₦1,200, will now pay ₦500 per day.
Governor Otu also announced a 50 per cent reduction in all traffic-related fines. However, to uphold discipline, the penalty for failing to buy a daily ticket has been increased to ₦10,000.
“I have approved measures aimed at easing the burden on our hardworking drivers while restoring order, fairness, and transparency in the transport system,” Governor Otu stated following a meeting with key stakeholders.
In a move labelled as part of his administration’s “Season of Sweetness,” the governor announced that mini-bus drivers and tricycle riders would be completely exempt from purchasing tickets on Saturdays, Sundays, and public holidays.
Despite these concessions, the Governor maintained a firm stance on security, noting that tricycle operations remain prohibited after 6:00 p.m.
The new directives also aim to curb street harassment by redefining the roles of various regulatory bodies.
The governor who announced the reforms via his official Facebook handle on Saturday morning stated that the Commercial Transport Regulatory Agency (CTRA) will henceforth focus strictly on vehicle registration and ticket sales at approved rates, while the Traffic Management and Regulatory Agency (TRAMRA) will confine its operations to statutory traffic management. The Vehicle Inspection Office (VIO) operations, according to Otu, “are now restricted strictly to their official office premises.”
To ensure accountability, he emphasised that enforcement officers must now appear in proper uniforms and carry verifiable identification.
“Enforcement officers are now required to operate strictly in proper uniforms and carry verifiable identification to ensure accountability and professionalism in their duties,” the governor added.
He therefore urged all stakeholders and the general public to comply with the new guidelines to foster a fair and orderly environment.
“I urge all operators and the general public to cooperate fully with the relevant agencies as we continue to build a transport system that is fair, orderly, and beneficial to everyone,” he concluded.
The new measures are expected to take full effect across the state on Monday, March 9, 2026.
Some of the minibus drivers and Keke operators who spoke on the development described the reforms as excellent, as they can now operate in a peaceful and conducive environment.
They thanked the governor for his prompt intervention and concern for the plight of intra-city transporters and commuters, who hitherto paid so much for transportation. They, however, promised to abide by the new code of operation.
