Ayade Suspends Transport Agency For Selling Tickets to Tricycle, Commercial Bike Operators, Despite Law

Cross River State Governor, Prof Ben Ayade, has suspended the activities of Commercial Transport Regulatory Agency, (CITRA), for violating the provisions of the State’s Tax Exemption Law that excluded low income earners from paying taxes.

In a statement issued on Sunday by his Special Adviser on Media & Publicity to Gov Ayade, Mr. Christian Ita, said despite the new law signed last week, the Agency were still selling tickets to bus, taxi, okada and tricycle operators.

“It has been observed that despite the governor, Prof. Ben Ayade’s directives, as well as the provisions of the Cross River State Tax Exemption Law, agents of the Commercial Transport Regulatory Agency (CTRA), we’re still engaged in the sale of tickets to bus, taxi, okada and tricycle operators in the state.

“Consequently, His Excellency has ordered the immediate suspension of the activities of the agency in the state.

“He has directed security agents to arrest anybody found selling tickets or collecting any form of tax from those exempted from paying tax in the state.

“His Excellency will henceforth, not tolerate the flagrant disregard of the tax exemption law which has been in place for over three years now.

“On no account will any criminal and mischievous attempt to undermine and short circuit the noble effort of the governor, be allowed,” he said.