…As initiative eases hardship, wins applause across party lines
By Kingsley Agim
Cross Riverians across the state have expressed profound gratitude to Governor Bassey Otu for the successful rollout of the Free Easter Transport Service, a compassionate initiative aimed at easing the burden of transportation during the Easter season.
The transport scheme, which is the second phase of the Free Transportation Initiative introduced by the Otu-led administration, was flagged off days before Easter by Barrister Ekpenyong Akiba, the Governor’s Special Adviser on Special Duties and Chairman of the Coordinating Committee.
Akiba, a young, dynamic lawyer and rising political figure, described the initiative as a practical demonstration of Governor Otu’s People-First Agenda — a key pillar of his administration. According to him, the gesture reaffirms the Governor’s commitment to improving the welfare of citizens, especially in the face of rising transport costs occasioned by fuel subsidy removal.
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“For me, this kind of scheme speaks volumes. His Excellency, Senator Prince Bassey Otu, is doing everything possible to actualize the People-First agenda and fulfil the promises he made to the people of Cross River State — people who freely gave him their mandate during the 2023 governorship election,” Akiba said during an interview.
He noted that the Free Easter Transport Service has sparked admiration not just from supporters of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), but even from members of the opposition.
“While on air discussing the program, a PDP member called in, impressed by the Governor’s performance, and publicly endorsed him for a second term — not because of party, but because of what Governor Otu is doing to transform the state and make life easier for Cross Riverians,” Akiba recounted.
The Free Easter Transport Service featured 60 fully operational buses running daily from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. across intra-city routes within Calabar metropolis, as well as inter-city routes from Calabar to Ugep, Ikom, Ogoja, Obudu, Akpabuyo, Bakassi and other key locations across the state. In addition, free boat rides were made available for water transportation, ensuring inclusivity for riverine communities.
“In some cases, families spend as much as N20,000 just to travel within the state during festive seasons. Through this initiative, the Governor has saved them that burden and redirected that cost to other pressing needs,” Akiba emphasized.
Beyond immediate relief, the initiative also underscores Governor Otu’s broader vision to revamp the transportation landscape in Cross River State. Akiba highlighted ongoing investments in road construction and rehabilitation, the acquisition of additional aircraft for the state-owned airline, and efforts to construct the railway system as proof of the Governor’s long-term plan for economic growth through enhanced mobility.
The Free Easter Transport Service follows a similar scheme launched during the Christmas season in December 2024 — the first phase of the Free Transportation Initiative — which also received wide acclaim from citizens.
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