The Cross River State Government has announced a sweeping reform in its transport enforcement system, banning Vehicle Inspection Officers (VIOs) from conducting road operations across the state. The directive, announced by Governor Bassey Otu in Calabar, restricts the activities of the officers strictly to office-based duties.

Akahi News gathered that the decision followed growing complaints and protests by commercial bus drivers and tricycle operators who alleged that enforcement teams were imposing excessive fines, issuing high transport tickets, and engaging in harassment on the roads.

The governor’s directive marks a significant shift in how vehicle inspection enforcement will be carried out in Cross River State, and it has sparked widespread debate about the balance between regulation, fairness, and the economic survival of transport workers.

Why the Government Took the Decision

According to information obtained by Akahi News, the policy was approved after consultations with key stakeholders in the transport sector, including drivers’ unions and regulatory agencies.

Commercial drivers had reportedly protested against what they described as heavy financial burdens imposed through daily tickets and penalties. Many argued that the charges were becoming unbearable amid rising fuel prices and broader economic challenges affecting Nigeria’s transport industry.

Governor Otu explained that the reforms are intended to reduce pressure on transport operators while restoring order and transparency within the state’s transport management system.

But beyond the immediate policy shift lies a deeper question: when enforcement becomes a burden rather than a safeguard, does it still serve the public interest?

Reduction in Transport Levies and Penalties

In addition to restricting VIO activities, the state government announced a series of financial adjustments affecting commercial transport operators.

Akahi News learnt that the daily ticket fee for commercial drivers has been reduced from ₦850 to ₦500. Meanwhile, penalties for failing to purchase the daily ticket have also been reduced to ₦10,000.

Authorities further revealed that all traffic-related fines will be cut by 50 percent and must now be paid only through designated Cross River State Government accounts in order to prevent fraud and extortion.

For tricycle operators, commonly known as “Keke” riders, the reforms were even more significant. The daily ticket fee has been reduced from ₦1,200 to ₦500.

However, the government also introduced a new restriction: tricycle operations must now end at 6 p.m. every day, effectively banning night-time operations across the state.

Observers say the mixed policy approach — reducing financial burdens while tightening operational regulations — reflects the government’s attempt to strike a balance between economic relief and public order.

Yet the question remains: will these measures truly solve the long-standing tensions between enforcement officers and road transport workers?

Changes to Enforcement Structure

Under the new directive, the Commercial Transport Regulatory Agency will focus primarily on administrative duties such as vehicle registration and the sale of official transport tickets at approved rates.

The Traffic Management and Regulatory Agency will now concentrate on statutory traffic management responsibilities rather than revenue collection or enforcement activities that have previously generated controversy.

Governor Otu also directed that any enforcement officer operating within the state must wear proper uniforms and carry verifiable identification.

Akahi News gathered that the government hopes these reforms will eliminate impersonators who often pose as traffic officials to extort money from unsuspecting drivers.

Another relief introduced by the government is the suspension of ticket payments during weekends and public holidays. Commercial drivers and tricycle riders will no longer be required to purchase daily tickets on Saturdays, Sundays, and official public holidays.

The directives officially took effect on March 9.

Drivers React to the Policy

While many transport operators welcomed the reforms, some drivers expressed concerns that certain issues remain unresolved.

According to drivers who spoke with journalists in Calabar, enforcement officers from other agencies may still continue controversial practices such as issuing “no parking” penalties to drivers who briefly stop to pick up passengers.

One commercial driver reportedly suggested that the government should publish a clear list of traffic offences and the corresponding fines in order to prevent confusion.

Without such transparency, he warned, dishonest individuals might still exploit the system by pretending to be traffic officials.

These reactions raise an important philosophical reflection: can regulatory reforms succeed without transparency and public trust?

Transport Union Response

Leaders of transport unions in the state are also reviewing the government’s decision.

Akahi News learnt that the Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria in the state plans to hold an urgent meeting to examine the governor’s directives and determine their implications for commercial drivers.

The association is expected to engage government authorities in discussions aimed at clarifying areas of ambiguity and ensuring that the reforms genuinely improve working conditions for transport operators.

Transport unions often play a crucial role in shaping policies affecting drivers, making their response a key factor in how smoothly the new policy will be implemented.

The Bigger Question: Reform or Temporary Relief?

The ban on VIO road operations may offer immediate relief to drivers who have long complained about enforcement excesses. However, it also raises broader questions about the future of traffic regulation in Nigeria.

If inspection officers are removed from the roads entirely, how will vehicle safety compliance be monitored effectively?

Could the absence of roadside inspection lead to more unroadworthy vehicles operating on public roads?

Or does this policy simply highlight a deeper governance challenge — the need to reform enforcement institutions rather than remove them?

These are questions policymakers across Nigeria may soon have to confront as citizens increasingly demand accountability and fairness in public administration.

The Cross River State Government’s decision to ban Vehicle Inspection Officers from road operations represents a bold intervention in the state’s transport regulatory framework.

By reducing fines, cutting ticket fees, and restructuring enforcement responsibilities, the administration says it aims to ease economic pressure on drivers while improving transparency in the system.

Whether the reforms will produce lasting improvements remains to be seen.

What is certain, however, is that the decision has sparked a national conversation about how governments should regulate transport systems without placing excessive burdens on the citizens they serve.

For continued coverage of governance, public policy, and national developments across Nigeria, stay connected with Akahi News.

By Joseph Iyaji | Akahi News
Joseph Iyaji is a journalist, educator, and founder of Akahi G. International, Akahi Tutors, and Akahi News. Read more about him here https://akahinews.org/Joseph/

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