Akwa Ibom Generates ₦14m Weekly from Tricycle, Minibus Ticket Sales

The Akwa Ibom State Government has announced that electronic ticket sales to tricycle and minibus operators in Uyo generate approximately ₦14 million weekly, boosting the state's Internally Generated Revenue (IGR).

The Commissioner for Transport, Dr Anthony Luke, disclosed this to journalists in Uyo on Saturday, describing the revenue increase as one of the achievements of Governor Umo Eno's administration in the transport sector over the past three years.

According to Luke, the ministry sells 100,946 electronic tickets daily to tricycle and minibus operators at rates of ₦200 and ₦300, respectively, before 9 a.m.

"We now record ₦2 million daily and receive ₦14 million weekly," the commissioner said.

He explained that the government had recruited 143 enforcement officers to ensure compliance with the electronic ticketing system. Revenue generated from the sales is paid directly into government accounts through the Single Treasury Account (TSA).

Luke added that the introduction of electronic ticketing had helped the government identify revenue leakages, noting that many operators among the 5,794 registered tricycle riders had previously failed to pay their daily tickets.

He said the system had contributed to a 109 per cent increase in the state's internally generated revenue.

The commissioner attributed the success of the initiative to collaboration between the Ministry of Transport and the Ministry of Science and Digital Economy, led by Ekpenyong Udo Ekpenyong, which provided the technical support required to implement the system.

Speaking on the initiative, Ekpenyong described the achievement as unprecedented in the state's history under Governor Eno's Arise Agenda.

He also disclosed that surveillance cameras had been installed at strategic locations across Uyo to monitor tricycle and minibus operators, improve passenger safety and support security operations.

According to him, the surveillance system would help authorities identify operators who fail to comply with ticketing regulations and assist security agencies in tracking suspects involved in criminal activities.

Ekpenyong said the initiative was part of the state government's broader efforts to improve transport management, strengthen security and increase public revenue through digital technology.