The Cross River State Government has announced a reduction in transport related tickets for intercity drivers, in line with Governor Bassey Edet Otu’s determination to review taxation and create lasting peace and a more favourable operating environment for transport operators in the state.
The decision followed a stakeholders’ engagement involving the Chairman and executive members of the Inter-City Drivers Association, Chairman of Park Owners, representatives of TRAMRA, the Cross River Transport Authority (CTRA), Internal Revenue Service (IRS), Special Adviser on Transport, Special Adviser on General Duties, Chairmen of Calabar South and Calabar Municipality, the Revenue Consultant, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Transport and the Honourable Commissioner for Transport.
At the meeting held at the instance of the Commissioner for Transport, Hon. Kingsley Egumi, the government and transportation stakeholders agreed to a N750 ticket for outbound intercity drivers, representing a reduction from the previous N1,350 charge.
It was also agreed that drivers operating from private parks will pay N450 against the previous amount of N750.
The stakeholders further agreed that enforcement of transport regulations will be handled by the Commercial Transport Regulatory Agency(CTRA).
Issues concerning the involvement of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), the Army and complaints about illegal roadblocks were also raised at the meeting.
The parties agreed that these issues would be addressed amicably through engagement with the relevant authorities.
Speaking in response to the resolutions, the Chairman of the Inter-City Drivers Association, Pastor Johnson Julius, applauded Governor Otu for his prompt response to the concerns raised by drivers and for demonstrating a willingness to listen to transport operators.
He said the decision showed that the Governor was responsive to the challenges facing drivers in the state.
“We, the drivers in Cross River, about 6,000 of us, will give him our support and ensure that he will return back by 2027 as Governor,” he said.
The government reaffirmed its commitment to working with transport unions, park owners and other stakeholders to ensure that revenue collection and enforcement are carried out transparently, while protecting the livelihoods of thousands of transport operators across the state.
About The Author
