The Cross River State Ministry of Transportation has set up a high-level committee to verify and authenticate the registration documents of all transport associations and trade unions operating across the state.
The committee was inaugurated by the Commissioner for Transportation, Hon. Pastor Ekpenyong Cobham, during a brief ceremony at his office in Calabar.
Established to conduct a comprehensive forensic audit of the transport subsector, the committee is made up of experienced technocrats and legal professionals tasked with restoring order and accountability.
Its members include the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Dr. Gabriel Ogbaji Ukwada; the Executive Secretary of the Cross River State Traffic Regulation Agency (CTRA), Barr. Roseline Inameti; the Director of Administration at the Traffic Management and Revenue Agency (TRAMRA), Mr. Ogu James Ogu; and the Director of Procurement in the Ministry, Mr. Paul Ushie.
Speaking at the inauguration, Cobham underscored the urgency of the exercise, noting that the transport sector has been infiltrated by several illegal operators.
“It is necessary to set up this committee because some associations and unions in the transport subsector are outrightly illegal, while others operate outside their approved mandates,” he said.
He charged the committee to critically examine the constitutions of all associations and unions to determine their legitimacy and compliance with regulatory standards.
The committee is also mandated to request and review registration documents authorizing their operations, including approvals to collect levies and issue tickets on roads and in motor parks.
Additionally, it will assess government approvals that grant legitimacy or operational advantage to any group, investigate recurring conflicts among unions, and propose practical solutions to foster peaceful coexistence.
Cobham further directed the committee to identify and recommend the proscription of any illegal entity or practice, while addressing other issues in the interest of government and the public.
He emphasized the importance of maintaining an up-to-date database of all transport associations and unions, noting that the audit would help separate legitimate operators from those without legal backing.
According to him, the initiative is part of efforts to eliminate illegal levies, reduce conflicts, and sanitize the transport sector to enhance service delivery.
In a show of commitment, committee members took an oath of office, pledging to uphold the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and carry out their duties with integrity, transparency, and accountability.
The committee is expected to begin work immediately and submit its report within two weeks, with stakeholders urged to cooperate by providing the required documentation for verification.
