By Kelvin Obambon
In a move aimed at easing the economic burden on residents and commercial transport operators, the Governor of Cross River State, Senator Prince Bassey Edet Otu, has announced a sweeping set of reforms for the state’s transport sector.
The Governor’s intervention follows growing concerns raised by commercial drivers and residents across Calabar metropolis regarding high ticket costs, aggressive fines, and unprofessional enforcement practices.
At the heart of the new policy is a significant reduction in daily operational tickets. Starting Monday, March 9, 2026, daily tickets for commercial buses will drop from ₦850 to ₦500. Similarly, tricycle (Keke) riders, who previously paid ₦1,200, will now pay ₦500 per day.
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Governor Otu also announced a 50 percent reduction in all traffic-related fines. However, to maintain discipline, the penalty for failing to purchase a daily ticket has been adjusted 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 gesture labeled as part of his administration’s “Season of Sweetness,” the Governor announced that mini-bus drivers and tricycle riders would be entirely 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 harassment on the streets 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 emphasized 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.
