**Cross River State Government Takes a Bold Step to Ease Traffic Woes** The Cross River State Government has taken a major decision to reform the way Vehicle Inspection Officers (VIOs) operate in the state. As of Saturday, the VIOs have been banned from carrying out road operations, and their duties have been restricted to office work. This move comes after a series of protests by commercial bus drivers and tricycle operators who felt harassed and overwhelmed by the high ticket prices and excessive fines imposed by the VIOs. In a statement, Governor Bassey Otu announced a range of measures aimed at easing the burden on drivers and restoring order in the state's transport system. One of the key decisions is to reduce the daily ticket fee from N850 to N500 for commercial buses and from N1,200 to N500 for tricycle riders. The governor also announced a 50% reduction in traffic-related fines, which must now be paid only into designated Cross River Government accounts. Another significant change is the ban on night operations for commercial tricycle operators, which will now cease at 6 p.m. daily. The Commercial Transport Regulatory Agency will focus on vehicle registration and the sale of tickets at approved rates, while enforcement officers must wear proper uniforms and carry verifiable identification. The governor also directed the Traffic Management and Regulatory Agency to restrict its activities to statutory traffic management duties. Additionally, commercial bus drivers and tricycle riders will no longer purchase tickets on Saturdays, Sundays, and public holidays. These directives are set to take effect from March 9, and residents and transport operators are urged to cooperate with the relevant authorities to ensure a smooth transition. The aim is to create a more efficient and fair transport system in Cross River State, and it remains to be seen how these changes will impact the lives of commuters and transport operators.