The Operators of the Cross River State Urban Taxi and Bus Service Scheme known as Pronto Cabs Limited have spent a total of N607 million to acquire over 270 cars for the take-off of the transport scheme in the State.

  This was disclosed to newsmen in Calabar by the Managing Director of Pronto Cabs Limited, Mr. Kenneth Asim-Ittah in his office.

  Mr. Asim–Ittah said the idea of entering into this scheme was as a result of the recent ban on commercial motorcycle operators in the state by the state government.

  He said that the scheme is to complement the effort of the state government in its resolve to provide excellent and efficient urban transport service within Calabar metropolis.  

According to him “following the appointment of Pronto Cabs Limited, we entered into agreement with the state government and fund managers, Calabar Microfinance Bank and Ekondo Microfinance Bank, the Department of  investment Promotion, the Department of Public Transportation (DOPT),Commercial  Motorcycles Regulatory Agency(CMRA) and the Calabar Bike- men Association(CBA) in ensuring the smooth and speedy implementation of the scheme with a view to achieving the goals of the scheme.”

  So far, he added, 39 taxi/bus routes have been created with additional 52 taxi locations in the state capital.  

He said that the vehicles are given out on procurement basis as four persons who operate as cooperative ventures could acquire one with the initial payment of #40,000 Naira and daily payment of between N2,000 to N3,000 until a total of N2.25 million is finally paid depending on the vehicle type.

  Mr. Asim-Ittah expressed joy that there are other taxi operators springing up in the state, pointing out “it is complimentary rather than competitive and this is a healthy development.  We are here to provide effective and best transport services to Cross Riverians. We welcome other partners in this sector.”

  On the issue of maintenance, he said that ‘’the company has entered into agreement with Suzuki Motors worldwide and we do not entertain any fears” adding that Aquafills workshop is into partnership with them on repairs.

  He said that its fleet of vehicles are all insured and fully tracked to enhance security and monitoring of the use of the cars for the scheme.

  The managing director said the company has equally constituted a monitoring team to ensure that beneficiaries  do  not abuse the scheme by using their  vehicles for purposes other than that for which there were meant.

  Mr. Asim-Ittah debunked the allegations that the company was owned by the state Governor, Senator Liyel Imoke, adding that “this is a privately owned company by indigenes of the state aimed at complimenting government’s effort.”