The Akwa Ibom State Government has announced the commencement of an upgraded, government-managed biometric registration exercise for all commercial tricycle (Keke) and minibus operators across the state.
According to a statement issued by the Commissioner for Information, Aniekan Ummanah, the collaborative initiative is driven by the Ministry of Transport, the Ministry of Science and Digital Economy, and the Akwa Ibom State Internal Revenue Service.
The free exercise forms a core part of the administration’s security-driven strategy aimed at strengthening driver identification, vehicle verification, passenger safety, regulatory enforcement, and technology-enabled daily ticketing.
To guarantee the security of operators’ personal data and safeguard the integrity of the daily ticketing system, the biometric data capture will henceforth be conducted directly by the Ministry of Science and Digital Economy on behalf of the Ministry of Transport.
The state government emphasizes that all captured biometric data will be processed and securely maintained within its official infrastructure.
Furthermore, authorities have assured operators that the registration is completely free, and individuals are not required to open any bank account or digital wallet as a condition for registration or ticketing.
The registration exercise is scheduled to kick off on Friday, July 17, 2026, at the operational office of the Ministry of Transport, located along Ikot Ekpene Road in Uyo.
To enhance passenger safety and protect legitimate transporters, every registered vehicle will be issued a new State Vehicle Identification Number (SVIN).
This number will feature a unique, scannable QR code, allowing passengers to instantly verify the identity of the driver, the registered vehicle, and the validity of the day’s ticket.
Strict enforcement measures will accompany the rollout of this new system. With effect from the commencement date, only operators who have successfully completed the biometric registration will be permitted to operate on state roads and purchase daily tickets.
In a bid to block financial leakages, all daily ticketing payments must be processed electronically through AkwaRemit directly into the Akwa Ibom State Government’s Treasury Single Account (TSA).
Accordingly, the state government invites all operators of commercial tricycles and minibuses, alongside their respective union representatives, to present themselves at the designated registration centre starting July 17.
Officials have urged full cooperation from all stakeholders to ensure a smooth, seamless, and efficient registration process that will sanitize the state’s transport sector.
