By Onwa Ekor
In a bid to ensure that residents of the State commemorate the Easter Season without transport related issues, Cross River governor, Prince Bassey Otu, Wednesday, flagged off free buses to convey residents around the metropolis as well as extend same to other local government areas across the state.
This is the second time the governor would be introducing such gesture as he had during the 2024 Christmas season, floated free buses and boat services across the state for a period of 18 days.
Otu who spoke through his Special Adviser on General Duties, Barr. Ekpenyong Akiba, at the flag off in Calabar, maintained that the gesture would help take government to the grassroots and those who actually need such most.
Otu remarked that the free transport mini buses numbering 60 for those operating in the metropolis and two Sienna or 18 seater buses for each of other routes outside the state capital will commence operation from 7a.m. to 6p.m. each day and last for 14 days at the first instance, as government may wish to extend the operational days.
“There are 60 vehicles designated for use within the Calabar metropolis, while for other areas outside Calabar, we have two-18 seater buses or Sienna to ply each of the routes.
“Aware that the transport sector is capital intensive, the drivers are being paid, we have also taken off their levies, supervisors are equally attached to each vehicle for proper monitoring and are also paid daily, so there are lots of benefits to those plying the buses including the drivers,” the governor said.
Continuing, Otu informed that, “we will get to Ikom, Obudu, Ogoja, Ugep, Abi, Biase, Akamkpa, Oban among others, because people need to go and see their families and friends, spend time with their loved ones during this season, hence government embarking on long distance travels as a way to also sustain democratic dividends.”
Special Adviser to the governor on transport, Rt. Hon. Okon Ephraim, enjoined commuters to take advantage of the governor’s initiative which he said, is in line with the People First Mantra, adding that, arrangement were in top gear for a sustainable free transport system across the state in all seasons.
On strategies to monitor operations of the selected drivers for the exercise, Ephraim explained that, “each of the vehicle has a supervisor who is entitled to a daily pay with the role of ensuring that no penny is collected from any passenger including driver’s adherence to operational time each day.
For Chairman, Commercial Transport Regulatory Agency, (CTRA) in the state, Efa Nyong, all vehicles and drivers for the exercise have been duly registered, even as each vehicle has its designated route to ply with a sticker bearing, “Season of sweetness free transport service.”
State Chairman, Unified Commercial Drivers Association, Nta Henshaw, lauded the governor for repeating a feat he successfully achieved few months ago, precisely during the 2024 Christmas season.
According to Henshaw, “last Christmas, the governor floated free transport service which lasted for 18 days and he has flagged off another this Easter Season, all we can say as drivers is, thank you so much.
He added that, apart from the introduction of free buses and boats, Otu has tremendously impacted on the transport sector as evident in roads construction and rehabilitation including the installation of traffic and street lights, a development that would guide drivers each time.
On her part, President of Female Commercial Drivers in Cross River and one of the benefiting drivers, Philomina Asibe, says she feel good that women are being recognized into the system and offered opportunity to do what hitherto seems, was for only men to do.
Asibe who described the governor’s gesture as apt and timely informed that, “when schools are not in session like now, the town would be so dry of passengers, so with this initiative by the governor, it would pay us more as drivers.”
