The Rivers State Ministry of Transport has extended the deadline for commercial vehicles and tricycles operating in the state to comply with the directive to paint their vehicles in the approved light blue and white colours, following several appeals from transport operators across the state.
In a statement signed by the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Vera Sam-Dike, the new deadline has been fixed for December 31, 2026.
The ministry however urged owners, operators and drivers of commercial vehicles and tricycles yet to comply with the directive to use the extension period to have their vehicles properly painted in the approved state colours.
It warned that enforcement of the directive would begin in the first week of January 2027, with defaulters liable to sanctions.
The ministry also directed commercial vehicle operators whose vehicles are yet to be painted to report to the ministry and comply with the requirements for vehicle enumeration.
It said the enumeration exercise would close in the second week of October 2026, after which enforcement would commence.
The ministry therefore advised all affected transport operators to meet the stipulated deadlines and ensure full compliance to avoid sanctions when enforcement begins.
