Gov Otu Bans VIO Roadside Operations in Cross River
The Governor of Cross River State, Bassey Otu, has banned roadside operations by the Vehicle Inspection Office (VIO) across the state following complaints from commercial drivers and transport operators.
The directive, announced in Calabar, restricts VIO officials to office-based duties only, meaning they will no longer stop vehicles on the road for inspections or enforcement activities.
According to a statement issued by the governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Linus Obogo, the decision came after protests by commercial bus drivers and tricycle operators who accused enforcement officers of harassment, excessive fines and inflated transport levies.
As part of the new measures:
- Daily transport tickets for commercial buses were reduced from ₦850 to ₦500.
- Tickets for tricycle riders were also cut from ₦1,200 to ₦500.
- All traffic-related fines were reduced by 50 percent.
- Tricycle operations must now end by 6 p.m., with night operations banned.
The government said the reforms were introduced to ease the financial burden on drivers and restore order to the transport system after growing complaints about extortion and illegal collections.
Authorities also directed that all payments for fines and tickets must be made into official government accounts to prevent cash collections by enforcement officers.
The new directives are expected to take effect on March 9, 2026, with transport unions and residents urged to cooperate with the government’s efforts to reform the sector.