The Cross River State Government has ordered the temporary suspension of all taxation and enforcement activities affecting commercial mini-bus operators across the state.

The decision followed a peaceful protest staged on Thursday by commercial drivers over what they described as excessive levies and multiple taxation imposed by various government agencies.

The protest led to the blockade of key roads in Calabar.

The demonstration, which began as early as 7:00 a.m., disrupted traffic along major routes including Calabar Road, Stadium, Barracks Road, parts of Moore Road, and the busy Watt Market axis, leaving commuters stranded and forcing some businesses to shut temporarily.

Speaking during the protest, one of the drivers, Mr. Ene Effiong Okon, criticised the presence of multiple enforcement bodies on the roads.

“What we are saying is simple. We don’t need DOPT, CTRA, VIO, TRAMA and several other task forces. Many of them have no clear functions; they are only on the roads to extort money from drivers,” he said.

Another driver, Mr. Blessed Etuk, recounted what he described as an unpleasant encounter with an unidentified official.

“It started when a young man, who could not even identify himself as belonging to any task force, nearly fought me and ordered my passengers to disembark without any offence committed,” he alleged.

Etuk further claimed that drivers are fined between ₦60,000 and ₦100,000 for alleged “wrong parking,” even when they only stop briefly to drop off passengers. The drivers also accused ticketing officials of extending collection hours beyond stipulated periods.

“Ticket collection is supposed to be between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. on working days, but now it has been extended to weekends. Enough is enough,” one of the protesters said.

The drivers appealed to the state government to intervene by streamlining enforcement agencies to no more than one or two bodies, in order to curb what they described as widespread exploitation.

Responding swiftly, the Special Adviser to Governor Bassey Otu on General Duties, Ekpenyong Akiba, addressed journalists at the protest ground and announced the temporary suspension of all taxation and enforcement activities linked to the complaints, pending further dialogue.

Akiba said the government would invite five representatives from each protest point for discussions with relevant authorities.

“We have invited representatives of the drivers for dialogue. His Excellency is committed to ensuring that Cross River people are not exploited,” he assured.

Meanwhile, the lawmaker representing Calabar Municipality in the Cross River State House of Assembly, Stanley Nsemo, condemned multiple taxation, noting that it ultimately drives up transport fares and increases the burden on residents.

“These drivers are essential to the state’s economy. When they are extorted, the ordinary masses bear the brunt,” he said.

The aggrieved drivers—estimated to be over 2,000—said the protest was triggered by five major concerns bordering on alleged harassment and extortion by various task forces operating within the metropolis.