The Commercial Transport Regulatory Agency, CTRA, in Cross River State has reduced traffic offences from 35 to four, a move aimed at easing the cost of doing transport business and reducing harassment of drivers.
The Chairman of CTRA, Mr Efa Nyong, announced the reform in Calabar while outlining the agency’s plans for the transport sector in 2026.
Mr. Nyong said the decision was made by prevailing economic realities facing commercial drivers and transport operators across the State.
The Chairman explained that under the new regime, the only enforceable offences are refusal to register a vehicle, purchase daily operational toll tickets, overloading, and failure to use seat belts.
Meanwhile, all other offences, including broken windscreens, have been scrapped.
He said the agency was committed to introducing reforms focused on drivers’ welfare and ease of doing business.
As part of the welfare measures, drivers above 60 years would be registered free of charge and exempted from operational levies, while female commercial drivers would also enjoy free registration and operate without paying regulatory fees.
On penalties, the Chairman said fines for any of the four offences range from five thousand to ten thousand naira as stipulated on the official enforcement chart.
According to him, CTRA is finalising an insurance scheme to support families of registered drivers in the event of death, noting that an agreement with Leadway Insurance would soon be signed to cover duly registered drivers operating within the State.
Responding to complaints of enforcement abuse, Mr. Nyong acknowledged concerns over alleged high-handedness by some members of the taskforce, but assured them that flexibility would exist for drivers genuinely unable to pay fines.
Some commercial drivers in the State had earlier accused CTRA taskforce teams of illegal demands and excessive enforcement practices.
