Gov Otu rolls out free Easter transportation for residents

Gov. Bassey Otu of Cross River has flagged off a free Easter transport service for state residents to ease the transportation burden during the Easter holidays.

The governor, who flagged off the programme on Tuesday in Calabar, emphasised his administration’s resolve to prioritise the welfare of the people.

Otu, represented by his deputy, Dr Peter Odey, noted that the initiative was intended to ensure that residents travelled freely during the Easter season without fear or financial strain.

“I am happy to be here again. I was here in Dec. 2025 to flag off the Christmas free transport services, which, to the glory of God, we sustained and even visitors who came for the carnival enjoyed it.

“I am back again this Easter period to roll out another people-centered programme to ameliorate the sufferings of the people occasioned by the high cost of fuel,” he said.

According to him, this is the fourth edition, and the administration will continue to sustain the initiative in the state.

Similarly, Mr Ekpenyong Akiba, Special Adviser to the Governor on General Duties, said the initiative aligned with the state government’s social-economic intervention strategy.

Akiba, who is also the scheme’s coordinator, said the government remained committed to sustaining the scheme to support residents during this critical period of high travel demand.

On his part, Mr Ephraim Okon, Special Advisor to the governor on transportation, said the initiative was in partnership with the transport unions, adding that the drivers were exempted from daily tolls.

Okon noted that the drivers would  receive small incentives at the end of the programme that would run through the Easter period.

‘’We also have supervisors who will be in each of the vehicles to ensure that the drivers do not take money from the commuters for the duration of the programme,” he said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the scheme would ensure free vehicular transportation from Calabar to other local government areas in the state, and also free boat services to Creek Town and Bakassi.NAN further reports that within Calabar metropolis, 55 buses were provided to transport commuters within the city free of charge from 7 a.m to 7 p.m. daily.

The post Gov Otu rolls out free Easter transportation for residents appeared first on Vanguard News.