By Magnus Effiong
Residents of Calabar metropolis and indeed people of Cross River State have expressed excitement over Gov Bassey Otu’s decision to once again float free transport services to cushion the high transportation cost as Christians prepare to celebrate Easter this week.
PillarToday reports that the Governor embarks on this gesture every festive peeiod.
Flagging off the “Season of Sweetness Easter free transportation,” which is the fourth in series since he assumed office, the Governor assured of the safety of the masses and the commuters, and urgef all to take advantage of the programme as a way of ameliorating their transportation plights during the season.
Represented by his deputy, Rt Hon Peter Odey, the governor 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 percent of the nation’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
Akiba explained that the governor was passionate and intentional in doing everything to cushion effects of hardship on the citizenry hence the return of the CallyAir, road constructions across the state, zero tolerance to potholes and interest in the actualization of the deep seaport.
The governor’s aide, who lauded Otu for sustaining the feat over the years, also said the ‘Season of sweetness free transportation,’ has 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 7am to 7pm, 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.
