Cross River Exempts Women, Elderly Drivers From Vehicle Registration Levies

The Cross River State Government has exempted female commercial drivers and male commercial drivers aged 60 and above from paying vehicle registration fees and daily operational levies. The announcement was made by the Chairman of the Cross River Transport Regulatory Agency (CTRA), Oliver Orok, during a meeting with commercial drivers' unions in the Calabar metropolis and the Southern Senatorial District. The initiative forms part of Governor Bassey Otu's "People First" agenda aimed at easing the financial burden on transport operators.

Orok explained that women engaged in commercial driving would enjoy free vehicle registration and would no longer be required to pay daily operational levies. He added that male drivers aged 60 years and above who own and operate their vehicles commercially would also benefit from the exemption. The agency said registration fees have generally been reduced, while enforcement of certain road offences has been relaxed to encourage business activities in the transport sector.

The CTRA chairman urged commercial drivers to comply with registration requirements and maintain the state's approved vehicle colours, warning against the use of unauthorised stickers and improper vehicle branding. He announced that a special enforcement exercise, to be conducted in collaboration with security agencies, will begin on August 1 to ensure compliance with the new regulations and prevent revenue losses caused by non-payment of approved levies.

Orok also disclosed that the agency invited officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to the meeting to register eligible commercial drivers for voter cards. He said the move was intended to make voter registration more accessible to drivers who often have little time to visit registration centres, reaffirming the government's commitment to improving both transport services and civic participation.