While commissioning the cabs at the state Cultural Centre Car Park, Calabar, Monday, Imoke said the desire of government to touch the  grass root will never wane, adding that there is need to improve the fortunes of commuters with a well  articulated  transport system.

Imoke reasoned that residents of Calabar metropolis and its environs without cars and motorcycles are entitled to good means of transportation to boost their social and economic lives, promising that such a gesture will be replicated across the state in no distant future.

The governor remarked that being a leading state in service delivery, Cross River has set the pace once more in the transportation sector by touching those that need government most while commending the role played by the Department of Public Transportation in making it happen.

He congratulated stake holders in the process as their collaborative effort has culminated in bringing the first set of cars under the phase one of the partnership.

Imoke advised the taxi owners to look after them by getting them insured as well as ensuring that they and their passengers fasten their seat belts.

The Special Adviser, Public Transportation, Mr. Gabriel Okulaja in his introductory remarks, said the commissioning was the first private sector driven taxi scheme in the state drawing from experiences of past attempts, adding that the drivers are well trained and will continue to be trained in driving skills and ethics while the charges are passenger friendly.

Okulaja disclosed that for the scheme, government has adopted the Taxi Fleet Financing for which the Department of Public Transport on behalf of government provided bank guarantee while funds were secured from Calabar Microfinance Bank Ltd and Oceanic Bank PLC.

He said the taxi operator under the agies of Calabar Urban Taxi Drivers Union each made a minimum deposit of N50, 000.00 with the financing institution, stating that the financers paid upfront the total of the vehicles while the repayment programme is worked out by the parties.

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