The Cross River State Government has taken decisive steps to address the longstanding issue of traffic congestion in the state capital by embarking on the construction and renovation of bus stops.
This initiative, aimed at ensuring the smooth flow of traffic, was disclosed by Barrister Ekpenyong Akiba, the Special Adviser to the Governor on General Duties, who led a delegation to assess the condition of bus stop facilities across the metropolis.
During the assessment, Akiba highlighted numerous challenges, including vandalism, dilapidation, and improper placement of bus stops, many of which were worsened during the ENDSARS protests. He emphasized the necessity of reorganizing and remapping transportation routes to accommodate the city's development and population growth, aligning with Governor Bassey Otu’s directive to create traffic-free streets and roads within the metropolis.
Akiba reinforces the government's commitment to raising awareness and educating the public on the importance of utilizing designated bus stops. Additionally, extensive training programs will be implemented for commercial drivers to ensure compliance with traffic regulations, including clearing from the road before picking up passengers.
"We are beginning to also have a lot of compliance with this directive. The Ministry of Transport and other relevant agencies like the Calabar Urban Development Authority (CUDA), the Federal Road Safety Corps, critical stakeholders as far as our roads are concerned, have been engaging," Akiba stated, highlighting the positive response to the government's efforts.
Furthermore, Akiba reiterated Governor Bassey Otu’s dedication to inclusive governance and praised the administration's holistic approach to revitalizing the state's infrastructure. He noted the ongoing provision of traffic lights, street lights, road construction, monument revamping, and beautification of recreational parks as evidence of the government's commitment to efficient service delivery under the PEOPLE-FIRST agenda.
With over 50 bus stops in the metropolis, of which more than 20 have already been rehabilitated and new ones under construction, Akiba expressed optimism in witnessing significant improvements within the next 2 to 3 months. He emphasized the importance of enforcement measures to ensure full compliance with traffic regulations and the effective utilization of designated bus stops.
"There will be several enforcements in that direction, to ensure that there's full compliance. Because we have to collectively ensure that our city, our town, is what it ought to be. So there will be full enforcement, so as to also have full compliance," Akiba affirmed.
The Governor's commitment to enhancing the state's overall aesthetic and functionality has garnered praise from various quarters, reflecting the administration's dedication to prioritizing the welfare and satisfaction of its citizens.
