Cross River State has approved the direct procurement of 150 Daihatsu Hijet mini buses as a fresh empowerment move targeting vulnerable and less privileged groups in its three senatorial districts. The government said this step is part of wider efforts to improve economic inclusion and grassroots development.
In a statement signed by the Commissioner for Transport, Ekpenyong Cobham, and released on Friday in Calabar, the initiative was described as “more than a routine procurement, but a strategic intervention designed to restore dignity, hope, and economic independence at the grassroots.” He explained that despite reforms under Governor Bassey Edet Otu, many households still face “the stark reality of economic exclusion.”
“The Cross River State government has approved the direct procurement of 150 units of Daihatsu Hijet mini buses as part of a new empowerment initiative aimed at supporting vulnerable and less-privileged groups across the state’s three senatorial districts,” the statement confirmed. According to him, the Otu-led administration has recorded progress in poverty reduction, but there remains a need to provide direct tools to disadvantaged groups. “For the vulnerable, poverty is not a statistic; it is a daily struggle for survival. This initiative seeks to move our people from dependence to productivity,” he stated.
The statement added that the minibuses will be shared across the zones. “The approved minibuses will be distributed equitably, with 50 units allocated to the Northern, Central, and Southern senatorial zones,” Cobham explained, noting that this structure guarantees balanced development and inclusivity. He further noted that the vehicles would support small enterprises, strengthen rural transportation, and increase local commercial activity.
Cobham highlighted the economic value of the move, calling the vehicles “productive assets capable of transforming 150 beneficiary groups into viable micro-enterprises,” with an expected ripple effect on job creation and transport access. He described the initiative as a major marker of the administration’s mid-term progress. “This project stands as a cornerstone of the administration’s mid-term achievements, demonstrating a clear, impactful use of state resources,” he said.
The Daihatsu Hijet model was chosen for its durability, fuel economy, and ability to handle both rural and urban roads. An official familiar with the process explained, “It is a tested and trusted vehicle for high-frequency, low-cost mobility. We expect these units to serve the beneficiaries for many years.”
The government opted for direct procurement to speed up delivery. According to the commissioner, “The direct procurement allows for complete acquisition and distribution within the 2025 fiscal year, ensuring immediate impact on the lives of the people.” He added that the responsible agency will begin acquisition and distribution immediately.
In February, the state launched a similar support scheme with 200 tricycles under the Social Welfare Mobility Support Scheme. The tricycles were given to widows, youths, and displaced persons in Calabar, Ogoja, and Ikom. Officials said beneficiaries were selected using community-based verification, and repayment conditions were waived for the poorest cases. The initiative was widely praised as one of Governor Bassey Otu’s most visible poverty-reduction programmes, improving rural mobility and livelihood support for vulnerable families.
