The Cross River State Government has announced the waiver of vehicle registration fees and daily operational levies for residents aged 60 years and above who own and personally drive commercial vehicles in the state.
The Government said the initiative forms part of Governor Bassey Otu’s “People First” agenda aimed at reducing the financial burden on vulnerable groups in the transport sector.
The Chairman of the Cross River Transport Regulatory Agency, Oliver Orok, disclosed this on Monday, during a meeting with the Drivers Union covering Calabar Municipality and Calabar South Local Government Areas.
He explained that elderly residents aged 60 and above who own and drive their vehicles would no longer be required to pay vehicle registration fees or daily operational levies.
According to him, the state government has also granted similar exemptions to women engaged in commercial transportation, while ticket fees for other operators have been reduced to a minimal amount to improve the ease of doing business.
He added that the government would continue providing free transport services during festive periods and offer fuel support to commercial vehicle owners to help boost their businesses.
The CTRA chairman urged transport operators to comply with existing regulations by maintaining the state’s approved vehicle colours, removing unauthorised stickers and completing their registration.
Orok also announced that a special enforcement exercise would begin on August 1 in collaboration with security agencies to ensure compliance with transport regulations and prevent revenue leakages caused by operators who evade approved levies.
He noted that some drivers and union officials had encouraged others not to pay statutory fees, creating unfairness for compliant operators and reducing government revenue.
To deepen civic participation, Orok said the agency had partnered with the Independent National Electoral Commission to facilitate voter registration for commercial drivers during union meetings and at designated registration points along major transport routes.