Gov Otu Bans VIO Operations In Cross River
Cross River State Governor, Alex Otu has prohibited Vehicle Inspection Officers, VIO, from conducting roadside operations, limiting their activities to office-based duties.
Otu made the decision following protests from commercial transport operators over alleged harassment and steep penalties.
The Governor announced the directive on Saturday in Calabar after meeting with transport stakeholders, according to a statement from his Chief Press Secretary, Linus Obogo.
The move responds to complaints from commercial bus and tricycle operators, who accused enforcement teams of issuing excessive fines, harassing motorists, and imposing inflated penalties.
Under the new measures, VIO officials will no longer operate on the roads. Their responsibilities will now be restricted to administrative functions, while other transport regulatory bodies are expected to operate strictly within their statutory mandates.
As part of the reforms, the government approved a reduction in daily transport ticket fees from N850 to N500, while penalties for failure to purchase tickets have been lowered to N10,000. Traffic-related fines have also been cut by 50 per cent and must be remitted only into designated government accounts to prevent illegal collections.
For tricycle operators, the daily ticket fee has been reduced from N1,200 to N500. Night operations for tricycles are now prohibited, with operations ending at 6 p.m. daily.
Also, commercial bus and tricycle operators are exempt from ticket purchases on Saturdays, Sundays, and public holidays, a measure intended to provide financial relief.
Governor Otu stated that the reforms aim to restore order in the state’s transport sector while easing the financial burden on drivers.
He clarified that the Commercial Transport Regulatory Agency, CTRA, will now focus on vehicle registration and approved ticket sales, and that enforcement officers must operate in proper uniforms with verifiable identification.
The Traffic Management and Regulatory Agency, TRAMRA, has also been instructed to limit its role to traffic management functions.
The directives will take effect from March 9, 2026, with the governor urging residents and transport operators to cooperate with relevant authorities.
Olamilekan Adigun is a graduate of Mass Communication with years of experience in journalism embedded in uncovering human interest stories. He also prioritises accuracy and factual reportage of issues.
