Cross River to shut down unlicensed driving schools

The Cross River State government says it would shut down all unlicensed driving schools operating in the state.

State Commissioner for Transport, Mr Saviour Nyong, disclosed this during an interactive meeting with the state Chief Vehicle Inspection Officer (VIO) and proprietors of driving schools in the state, shortly after flagging off e-driving test for applicants applying for driver’s license.

Nyong said the action became necessary for proper sensitisation of drivers, adding that most drivers did not have formal knowledge of driving, thereby causing accidents on the roads.

According to him, “Driving is for adult and people who are healthy, sound and physically fit. Before you drive, you must undergo eye test, know and be able to identify road signs and also do practical driving. Driving is not for everybody”

The commissioner, however, commended the efforts of VIO for the pivotal role it had played in ensuring that commuters were properly sensitised on the importance of safety before plying the road.

He urged proprietors of driving schools in the state to cooperate with the state government through the office of the VIO in its efforts at ensuring the safety of lives as well as generating revenue for the state government.

Responding, the state Chief Vehicle Inspection Officer (VIO), Paul Bepeh, reaffirmed his commitment towards ensuring that tricycle operators were biometrically captured and licensed to enable them checkmate crime in the state.

“It is our duty to ensure that tricycle operators are properly captured and licensed so that we can identify them, which would help in fighting crime in the state.

“We are not relenting. We would ensure that things are done properly so that we can also prevent accidents on our roads’’

The Chief VIO officer said the essence of the meeting was to intimate all driving school proprietors and the public that the office had commenced e-driving tests for applicants who applied for driver’s license.

He urged commuters to cooperate with the VIO to enable it carry out its duties judiciously, and thanked the state governor, Professor Ben Ayade, for giving him the necessary support.

On his part, state chairman of driving school association, Mr Stephen Umoh, who was represented by the state vice-chairman, Pastor Solomon Anthony, commended the commissioner and the Chief VIO officer for introducing computerised driving test and urged them to sustain the initiative.