Ikom Legislative Assembly Moves to End Transport Monopoly 

By Missang AKPET 

The Ikom legislative assembly has initiated moves to end monopoly in the transport sector in Ikom local government.

The motion to liberalize the transport sector was moved by the Chief whip and Chairman of the House Committee on Transportation and Environment Hon. Enyeme Neku and Co-sponsored by Hon. Ndoma Njang, Hon. Enya Ndifon, Hon. Kasetima Ayiba Nentui, Hon. Egiga Agim, and Hon. Lifu Adoga.

The motion sought to allow non-indigenous and private transport operators to ply major routes previously monopolized by indigenous drivers.

The House described as unjust the disparity in fare such as the N12,000 fare from Ikom to Calabar (217km) compared to N10,000 from Ogoja to Calabar (310km) as evidence of exploitative practices.

The Leader of the House while affirming the motion agreed that the easiest way to dismantle the monopoly is to open the doors of competition and allow others to invest in the sector.

The motion was overwhelmingly supported, setting the stage for a competitive and citizen-friendly transport system.