"We Collect ₦55,000, Not ₦20,000" — Cross River Drivers Union Breaks Silence

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The Cross River State Unified Commercial Drivers Association has dismissed reports circulating on social media alleging that drivers participating in the state government's free transport programme receive only N20,000 daily.

The association described the claim as false and misleading, urging residents not to believe information that does not come from official sources. 

In a statement issued on Friday, the drivers' union specifically reacted to comments allegedly made by Portrait Peterson regarding the free transport scheme introduced by the administration of Governor Bassey Otu.

According to the association, every commercial driver officially selected to participate in the programme receives ₦55,000 per day, not ₦20,000. The union explained that the government pays participating drivers every 14 days during the Easter free transport programme and throughout the 31-day Christmas and New Year free transport exercise. It also stated that no participating driver has been owed since the programme began. 

The association also addressed confusion surrounding transport ticket collections in the state.

It clarified that Governor Bassey Otu's directive suspending transport ticket payments applies only to out-bound and inter-state commercial drivers. Drivers operating within Calabar metropolis and other towns inside the state are still required to pay the approved daily transport ticket.

The union added that the approved daily ticket for intra-city commercial drivers had already been reduced from ₦700 to ₦500 as part of government efforts to reduce the financial burden on transport operators. 

According to the drivers, the transport sector consists of three categories: intra-city operators, out-bound operators and inter-state operators. They stressed that the governor's waiver only covers the out-bound and inter-state categories, while drivers operating within cities must continue to comply with the approved ticketing policy. 

The association therefore appealed to members of the public to ignore what it described as false information capable of creating confusion among commuters and transport workers.

It reaffirmed its support for Governor Bassey Otu's transport policies, saying the free transport programme has continued to provide relief to thousands of Cross River residents during festive periods while also supporting commercial drivers through regular government payments.