C’River begins census of taxis to check crimes

THE Cross River State government has begun compulsory census and registration of commercial vehicles as part of measures to check the high crime rate in the state.

Chairman of the state’s Commercial Transport Regulatory Agency (CTRA), Mfon Bassey, told reporters in Calabar that the exercise became necessary owing to the high number of crimes recorded among unpainted vehicles operating as taxis in the state.

“From the law establishing the agency, it is a primary revenue-generating agency of the state and government is not losing revenue in that aspect.

“The agency has commenced the registration of commercial vehicles, including off colour vehicles used for commercial purposes. This is to provide a functional database and improve confidence of the public in commercial transport sector operators”.

Bassey added that “the exercise is ongoing and we have set in motion the necessary machinery to enforce compliance. This will be done in a more civilised and humane manner.”