Free Bus Services: Commuters in Calabar Commend Gov Otu, Sen Ekpenyong
By Olanrewaju Babatunde
A cross section of commuters in Calabar at the weekend commended both Governor Bassey Otu and Senator Asuquo Ekpenyong (Jnr.), for the free bus services offered to the masses, respectively.
On assumption of office shortly after the 2023 general elections, separately, both leaders rolled out several welfarist programmes including the empowerment of small scale entrepreneurs, award of scholarship to deserving students as well as the free bus services among other interventions.
As the free shuttle services continuous, especially the Xmas Free Transport Service sponsored by governor Otu, our Special Correspondent went to town and x-rayed the opinion of some commuters and residents who had benefited from the transport schemes one way or the day.
According to Justina Osim, a petty trader and a resident in Calabar metropolis, the introduction of the free bus services were quite timely as it often help her to reduce the burden of transport fare when going to the market to buy goods.
She recalled with relief how she boarded the buses on several occasions either from Old Odukpani road, where she resides to Ikot Ishie market or from Murtala Mohammed highway to Wattmarket.
Osim, while thanking both the governor and senator Asuquo Ekpenyong, for the gestures, however expressed reservation with the scarcity of the buses plying the highway, especially that of the governor.
"I thank the governor for the Xmas Free bus services which I have enjoyed not less four (4) times along Old Odukpani road to Ekpo Iso junction and Ikot Ishie market. But, you hardly find the buses along the highway. What I don't understand is whether they ply the road before or after I get to the junction. Even the free coaster buses of Senator Ekpenyong that use to frequent the highway are also scarce these days. Anyways, I also sincerely appreciate our senator for his intervention too. God will continue to bless them all", she stated.
Also speaking, another respondent who simply identified himself as Solomon, said on few occasions in time past, he had enjoyed the free bus services along the highway, especially that of Senator Asuquo Ekpenyong, at inception.
Accordingly, he applauded both Governor Otu and Senator Ekpenyong for the novel initiative.
While calling on other leaders to emulate the duo, he expressed hope that the intervention will no doubt help to cushion effects of the economic hardship on the masses.
Reacting, another female respond named Elizabeth, extolled the virtues of both Governor Bassey Otu and Sen Asuquo Ekpenyong for remembering the electorate after the elections through numerous intervention programmes including the free bus services.
Elizabeth, a public servant and a resident of Old Odukpani road in Calabar, recounted how she had enjoyed the free bus services provided by both leaders in recent time when she had little or no transport fare to her place of work.
But, sounding like Oliver twist, Elizabeth, who is a native of Ediba in Abi Local Government Area of Cross River State, appealed that the gesture by the governor should be extended to her locality.
She said: "I appreciate both our dear governor and the senator for their good deeds. What they are doing is worthy of emulation. You can see the senator who is also from the same zone with the governor complimenting his effort.
"Sincerely, I have lost count on how many times I benefited from the free bus services sponsored by both leaders, respectively. I pray that God Almighty will replenish them.
" I pray for the sustenance of the scheme as well as an extension to other Senatorial districts in the state, especially Cross River central where I hail from."
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