Commercial drivers suspend planned fare hike in Cross River

The Unified Commercial Drivers Association in Cross River State has suspended its planned fare hike in Calabar.

This was contained in a communiqué issued after a stakeholders’ meeting in the state capital, Calabar, on Monday night.

The communiqué was made available to the News Agency of Nigeria on  Monday night.

The communiqué was signed by Uqua Edet, Commissioner for Transport and Marine Services in the state, and Thomas Okon, Chairman, UCDA.

Others who signed the communiqué included Gabriel Ada, Chairman Commercial Transport Regulatory Agency; and Ephraim Ekporoko, Chairman Mini Bus Association.

NAN recalls that commercial drivers in the state had in a statement said that from Monday they would increase the cost of a drop in Calabar from N50 to N100.

This, they claimed, was due to the increase in cost of maintaining their vehicles.

However, the resolution to shelve the planned fare increase was taken in the best interest of the people of Cross River State, all the transport operators and commuters in the state.

“Consequently, all drivers and other stakeholders should return to status-quo immediately,” the communique read.

Some of the residents of Calabar who spoke to NAN commended the associations.

The residents urged spare parts dealers to reduce their prices.