Otamere Gladness 
CALABAR, Nigeria – The Cross River State Government has introduced a new transport policy exempting women commercial drivers and male commercial vehicle operators aged 60 years and above from registration fees and daily operational levies as part of efforts to reduce the financial burden on transport workers.
Chairman of the Cross River Transport Regulatory Agency (CTRA), Chief Oliver Orok, announced the initiative on Monday during a meeting with transport unions in Calabar.
The policy, he said, aligns with Governor Bassey Otu’s People First agenda aimed at promoting inclusive economic opportunities and supporting vulnerable groups in the transport sector.
“Women who are into this driving business will not pay for registration of their vehicle and will not pay daily operational levies. The operation is free for them,” Orok said.
He added that male commercial drivers aged 60 years and above would also enjoy full exemptions from registration fees and daily levies.
The agency also announced reductions in transport ticket prices and the suspension of enforcement on selected road traffic violations to ease operating costs for commercial drivers.
According to Orok, the state government will continue to provide free transport services during festive periods and extend fuel support where necessary.
He urged commercial drivers to comply with the state’s approved vehicle colour scheme to promote uniformity and improve regulation within the transport sector.
The CTRA chairman disclosed that a joint enforcement exercise involving security agencies would begin on August 1 to ensure compliance with transport regulations and protect government revenue.
He also announced a partnership between the agency and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to facilitate voter registration for commercial drivers at designated locations across the state.
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Mirian Gom 
Korede Abdullah