Governor of Cross River State, Prince Bassey Otu, has floated buses in the state to ease the transportation problems in the state during the Easter period.
Flagging off the “Season of Sweetness Easter free transportation” on Monday, which is the fourth in a series since he assumed office, he assured the safety of commuters, urging all to take advantage of the programme as a way of ameliorating their plights during the season.
Represented by his deputy, Rt Hon Peter Odey, Governor Otu maintained that his administration will sustain the policy as it is people-centred and a feat that, among others, has continued to draw commendation and awards from within and across the nation.
“We will continue to sustain this programme as it is people-centred and has continued to draw awards and commendations from everywhere.
“We assure you of your safety, no vehicle will break down in any way, all will take you to your destination even if you are travelling outside Calabar,” Otu assured.
He also announced that free boat services have also been provided to take commuters to Creek Town as well as other riverine areas including offsetting the transport costs of those travelling outside Calabar to other local government areas, warning that, “if you enter any of the buses or boats and you are charged a penny, call the number already fixed in the stickers and we will take action for transportation within this period is free.”
Coordinator of the programme and Special Adviser (General Duties) to the governor, Barr. Ekpenyong Akiba explained that it was imperative to support the transport sector as it remains fundamental and contributes about 12 per cent of the nation’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
Akiba explained that the governor is passionate and intentional in doing everything to cushion hardship on the citizenry, hence the return of the CallyAir, road constructions across the state, zero tolerance to potholes and interest in the actualisation of the deep seaport.
The governor’s aide who lauded Otu for sustaining the feat over the years also informed that the ‘Season of sweetness free transportation’ has a multiplying effect on both the drivers and the citizenry, adding that, “modalities have also been put in place for monitoring of the programme to avoid compromise.”
Commissioner for Information, Dr Erasmus Ekpang, charged the citizenry to continue to protect infrastructure in the state and never relent in their prayers for the administration of Prince Bassey Otu, who is passionate and humane while intervening in all sectors of the economy.
For the Special Adviser on transport to the governor, Okon Ephraim, “drivers are exempted from paying tolls during the period, apart from stipends, they are also offered allowances as empowerment, cost of transportation is taken out of the burden of households, supervisors are also paid allowances, so it has a multiplying effect on the system.”
Ephraim, who announced that there are 55 buses operating within the metropolis, added that the operational hours span from 7 am to 7 pm, and no one needs any identification card but thorough orderliness to ply the vehicles or boats.
Chairman, Unified Drivers in the state, Henshaw Nta, applauded the governor for his proactiveness, especially in the fixing of potholes, traffic lights, and payment reduction in daily tolls by drivers, a development he argued has demonstrated a people-first administration style, while helping the transport sector to efficiently drive its process.
The event saw the elated deputy governor, who represented the governor, being driven in one of the commercial buses by a female driver.
