Governor Bassey Otu of Cross River has flagged off a free Easter transport service for state residents to ease the transportation burden during the Easter holidays.

The governor, who flagged off the programme on Tuesday in Calabar, the state capital, emphasised his administration’s resolve to prioritise people’s welfare.

Mr Otu, represented by his deputy, Peter Odey, noted that the initiative was intended to ensure that residents travelled freely during the Easter season without fear or financial strain.

“I am happy to be here again. I was here in December 2025 to flag off the Christmas free transport services, which, to the glory of God, we sustained, and even visitors who came for the carnival enjoyed it.

“I am back again this Easter period to roll out another people-centred programme to ameliorate the sufferings of the people occasioned by the high cost of fuel,” he said.

According to him, this is the fourth edition, and the administration will continue to sustain the initiative in the state.

Similarly, Ekpenyong Akiba, special adviser to the governor on general duties, said the initiative aligned with the state government’s social-economic intervention strategy.

Mr Akiba, who is also the scheme’s coordinator, said the government remained committed to sustaining the scheme to support residents.

On his part, Ephraim Okon, special advisor to the governor on transportation, said the initiative was in partnership with the transport unions, adding that the drivers were exempted from daily tolls.

Mr Okon noted that drivers would receive small incentives at the end of the programme, which would run through the Easter period.

‘’We also have supervisors who will be in each of the vehicles to ensure that the drivers do not take money from the commuters for the duration of the programme,” he said.

The scheme would ensure free vehicular transportation from Calabar to other local government areas in the state, as well as free boat services to Creek Town and Bakassi.

Within the Calabar metropolis, 55 buses were provided to transport commuters within the city free of charge from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. daily

(NAN)