The Cross River State government marked the one-year anniversary of the Automobile Technicians Regulatory Department (ATRD) on December 5, 2025, with a commitment to formalize and professionalize the state’s automotive sector. The event, held in Calabar, centered on the theme: "Activating the Automotive Economy in Cross River State."
Victoria Omini.
Chief Ndem Effiong, the Special Adviser to the Governor on ATRD, welcomed guests, crediting the establishment of the department to the vision of Governor Senator Prince Bassey Edet Otu. He highlighted the department's core responsibilities and rapid progress since its inception in November 2024.
“The ATRD was charged with the responsibility of among other things, regulating, formalising and institutionalising the Automotive Industry in the state,” Chief Effiong stated, reaffirming his dedication to the department’s mandate.
Representing Governor Otu, Engr. Jerome Egbe, Special Adviser on Public Utilities, declared the occasion open and delivered a message emphasizing the state's passion for recalibrating the auto system.
"His Excellency is so passionate in recalibrating the automobile industry in Cross River State," Engr. Egbe said, adding that "training and retraining of technicians cannot be overemphasized."
He stressed the link between skilled technicians and public safety, noting that effective retraining could protect the public from up to 40% of road accidents. Engr. Egbe also announced the Governor’s approval of free transportation across the state for the Christmas period, cementing the “Season of Sweetness” theme.
The anniversary celebrated key infrastructure partnerships, particularly with the National Automotive Design and Development Council (NADDC).
Chief Effiong announced that the ongoing construction of the Automobile Training Centre (ATC) at the University of Education and Entrepreneurship (UEE) in Awi, Akamkpa LGA, and the establishment of a Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) and Electric Vehicle Charging Point at the University of Calabar (UNICAL) are products of this collaboration.
Speaking on behalf of security agencies, Innocent Etuk, Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC), stressed the critical role of technicians in achieving zero-death road safety goals.
“It is not negotiable that there is no road safety. Because it is you people that will repair the vehicle,” Commander Etuk affirmed. “Before this thing can happen, we really have a reliable vehicle that is roadworthy, a vehicle that is properly maintained, and a vehicle that is also worthy to be on the road. And all these things cannot be achieved without the automobile technicians.”
Chief Effiong concluded his address with an appeal for state support to mobilize a Cross River delegation to attend the West African Automotive Show (WAAS) 2026 in Lagos.
This participation is deemed necessary to expose local technicians to modern tools, attract investors, and ultimately position Cross River as a prime candidate to host the WAAS 2027 edition, thereby establishing the state as a hub for automotive innovation in the South-South region.
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