Cross River State reduces fees for vehicle permits, confines traffic officers to administrative duties

Governor Bassey Otu of Cross River State has given his approval for a decrease in the cost of transport tickets for commercial drivers, and has also limited the activities of the Vehicle Inspection Office to its various offices throughout the state.

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This decision was made public by the governor through a statement posted on his Facebook page on Saturday, in response to concerns expressed by commercial transport operators and residents in the Calabar metropolis regarding transport tickets, fines, and enforcement practices.

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According to Governor Otu, the decision to implement these changes came after a meeting with relevant authorities and stakeholders, with the goal of reducing the burden on drivers while also ensuring fairness and transparency in the state's transport system.

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The governor stated, "Following the concerns raised by commercial transport operators and residents across the Calabar metropolis regarding transport tickets, fines, and enforcement practices, I convened a meeting with the relevant authorities and stakeholders to address these issues decisively."

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The cost of daily tickets for commercial buses has been reduced from ₦850 to ₦500, and the penalty for failing to purchase a ticket has been adjusted to ₦10,000, as announced by the governor.

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The statement from the governor also read, "Consequently, daily tickets for commercial buses have been reduced from ₦850 to ₦500, while the penalty for failure to purchase the ticket has been adjusted to ₦10,000."

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Additionally, traffic-related fines throughout the state have been reduced by 50 per cent, and the cost of tickets for tricycle riders has been decreased from ₦1,200 to ₦500.

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Governor Otu also stated that enforcement officers will now be required to wear proper uniforms and carry identification that can be verified, in order to ensure professionalism and accountability.

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He further stated, "Furthermore, enforcement officers are now required to operate strictly in proper uniforms and carry verifiable identification to ensure accountability and professionalism in their duties."

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The governor also outlined the responsibilities of transport regulatory agencies in the state, with the Commercial Transport Regulatory Agency focusing on the registration of commercial vehicles and the sale of tickets at approved rates.

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The Traffic Management and Regulatory Agency, on the other hand, will limit its operations to traffic management responsibilities, according to the governor.

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He also announced that the operations of the Vehicle Inspection Office will now be restricted to its offices, stating, "In the same vein, the operations of the Vehicle Inspection Office are now restricted to its offices."

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As part of what he referred to as the administration's "Season of Sweetness", the governor announced that mini-bus drivers and tricycle riders will be exempt from purchasing tickets on Saturdays, Sundays, and public holidays.

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However, the governor maintained that tricycle riders must cease operations by 6pm, as night operations remain permanently banned.

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The governor added, "These directives will take effect from Monday, March 9, 2026," and urged transport operators and residents to cooperate with relevant agencies to ensure an orderly transport system.