The Cross River State Government has ordered the temporary suspension of all taxation and enforcement activities affecting commercial mini-bus operators across the state following a protest by drivers over alleged excessive levies and harassment.
The decision came after hundreds of commercial drivers staged a peaceful protest on Thursday in Calabar, blocking major roads and disrupting traffic in parts of the state capital.
The protest, which began as early as 7:00 a.m., paralysed movement along key routes including Calabar Road, Stadium Road, Barracks Road, sections of Moore Road, and the busy Watt Market axis. The disruption left many commuters stranded and forced some businesses to shut down temporarily.
The drivers accused multiple government agencies and task forces of imposing excessive levies and engaging in extortion. One of the protesters, Ene Effiong Okon, criticised the presence of numerous enforcement bodies on the roads, including the Department of Public Transportation, Cross River Traffic Management Authority, Vehicle Inspection Officers, and other task forces.
“What we are saying is simple. Many of these agencies have no clear roles and are only on the roads to extort money from drivers,” Okon said.
Another driver, Blessed Etuk, alleged harassment by enforcement officials, claiming some unidentified operatives forcefully ordered passengers to disembark without justification. He further alleged that drivers are fined between ₦60,000 and ₦100,000 for alleged traffic violations, including brief stops to drop off passengers.
The drivers also complained that ticketing officials had extended revenue collection beyond approved hours, including weekends, contrary to established regulations.
In response, the Special Adviser to Governor Bassey Otu on General Duties, Ekpenyong Akiba, announced the immediate suspension of all taxation and enforcement activities linked to the drivers’ complaints pending further discussions.
Akiba assured the protesters that the government would engage with their representatives to address the issues and prevent exploitation.
“We have invited representatives of the drivers for dialogue. His Excellency is committed to ensuring that Cross River people are not exploited,” he said.
Also reacting, the lawmaker representing Calabar Municipality in the Cross River State House of Assembly, Stanley Nsemo, condemned multiple taxation, warning that such practices increase transport fares and worsen the economic burden on residents.
He noted that commercial drivers play a critical role in the state’s economy and called for reforms to streamline enforcement and revenue collection.
The protesting drivers, estimated to number over 2,000, said their action was driven by persistent harassment, multiple taxation, and alleged extortion by various task forces operating within the Calabar metropolis.
