Ahead of March 18 election, Akwa-Ibom Govt waives daily taxes, levies for transporters

In a bid to sway potential voters in the state’s transportation sector ahead of Saturday’s governorship and state assembly polls, Akwa-Ibom
Governor Udom Emmanuel has suspended all levies and daily tickets payable by commercial tricyclists and minibus operators.

Emmanuel said the “gesture” is not politically motivated but to give them succour following the current cash crunch in the country.

According to him, the gesture is to ease the suffering of transporters and citizens in the state.

A statement by the Commissioner for Transportation, Mr Uno Etim Uno, a copy of which was given to Persecondnews, said the “kind gesture” by the state government will take effect from (today) March 13, 2023.

“The suspension takes immediate effect from Monday, March 13 till Friday, March 17, 2023.

“Due to the harsh realities occasioned by the cash crunch in the country, the Akwa Ibom State Government hereby graciously announces a five-day suspension of daily ticketing for operators of commercial tricycles and minibuses.

“This development will help the operators breathe a sigh of relief as they struggle to earn a living amidst these biting hard times.

”The general public, particularly operators of commercial tricycles and minibuses and the Compliance and Monitoring team are hereby notified of this development,” the statement said.

It also expressed the hope that the five days grace would “aid their active participation in the upcoming governorship elections ”

“In continued support for the state government, transporters are urged to use the five days of grace to prepare to take an active part in the governorship and state assembly elections slated for Saturday, March 18, 2023.

“It is hoped that in response to the kind gesture of the state government, transporters will remain law-abiding and shun all forms of violence throughout the period of the elections,” the statement said.