In a fresh move to strengthen security and combat kidnapping, child trafficking and other organised crimes, the Akwa Ibom State Government has approved the biometric registration of all commercial tricycles and minibuses operating across the state.
The initiative, introduced by the administration of Governor Umo Eno, is aimed at improving the identification and tracking of commercial transport operators while enhancing passenger safety.
Commissioner for Information, Dr. Aniekan Umanah, announced the policy on Tuesday in Uyo, describing it as part of the government’s proactive response to the country’s worsening security challenges.
He said the Ministries of Transport and Science and Digital Economy, alongside the Akwa Ibom State Internal Revenue Service (AKIRS), have been mandated to implement the exercise.
According to him, the government-managed biometric registration will strengthen driver identification, vehicle verification, regulatory enforcement and technology-driven daily ticketing across the state.
“The exercise is designed to protect genuine operators, eliminate impersonation, enhance public safety, promote transparent revenue collection and foster greater orderliness and professionalism within the commercial transport sector,” Umanah said.
He explained that the Ministry of Science and Digital Economy would handle the biometric data collection on behalf of the Ministry of Transport, assuring operators that all personal information would be securely stored and managed by the state government.
The registration exercise is scheduled to begin on Friday, July 17, 2026, at the Ministry of Transport’s operational office located at the former AKTC premises along Ikot Ekpene Road, Uyo.
Umanah warned commercial vehicle operators against paying any individual or group for the exercise, stressing that the biometric registration is completely free.
He also clarified that operators would not be required to open any bank account or digital wallet as a condition for registration or ticketing.
Upon successful registration, each commercial vehicle will receive a new State Vehicle Identification Number (SVIN) embedded with a unique QR code. Passengers will be able to scan the code to verify the driver’s identity, confirm the vehicle’s registration status and validate the day’s ticket, a measure the government believes will significantly improve passenger safety.
The commissioner further announced that only operators who complete the biometric registration will be allowed to operate on state roads and purchase daily tickets, which will be paid through AkwaRemit into the Akwa Ibom State Government’s Treasury Single Account (TSA).
He urged all commercial tricycle and minibus operators, as well as their unions, to participate fully in the exercise to ensure a seamless implementation of the new policy.
