Edith CHUKU
The Akwa Ibom State governor, Pastor Umo Eno, has extended the deadline for the mandatory registration of all commercial tricycle and bus to September 30, 2026.
Eno urged operators to register their vehicles and obtain identification numbers and QR codes, stressing that after the new deadline, all unregistered vehicles would not be allowed to operate on the state’s roads.
Eno gave the directive during his routine inspection tour of ongoing projects across the state, including the Victor Attah International Airport Hospital, Aviation Staff Quarters, Dakkada Luxury Estate, and the Compressed Natural Gas Bus Terminal in Uyo.
He explained that the measure was aimed primarily at strengthening security and enabling authorities to identify and track commercial transport operators conveying passengers across the State.
The governor said the registration deadline had been extended to September 30 following appeals from transport operators, adding that the extension should provide sufficient time for all affected operators to comply.
“Any tricycle or bus that is not registered, duly captured and given a QR code would not ply our roads.”
He said the policy had become necessary as the State approaches the festive season, which will traditionally witness increased movement of people and heightened security concerns.
“We must step up our security and we must know who are these drivers carrying passengers. So if anything went wrong, we know how to track them.”
Eno also inspected facilities being developed to support the operation of the state’s 50 new CNG buses.
He explained that the CNG bus initiative goes beyond the provision of vehicles, noting that the State Government was developing a terminal, workshop, training centre and other support infrastructure to ensure efficient and sustainable operations.
According to him, the transport terminal is expected to become operational by November, ahead of the State’s Christmas Unplugged activities scheduled to commence on December 1, 2026.
“It’s not just the buses. We are building a terminal, a workshop, a training centre and other facilities that will enhance the operation of those buses.”
The governor described his project inspection visits as part of his management approach, saying that physically assessing projects enables him to ask questions, obtain clarifications and compare reports presented to him with the realities on the ground.
He expressed confidence that contractors handling the transport infrastructure were on course to meet the November completion target, which is expected to improve public transportation during the Christmas season and beyond.
The governor also expressed delight at the progress of work so far at the Victor Attah International Airport Hospital, the Aviation Staff Quarters, and the Dakkada Luxury Estate in Uyo.
