In a bid to sanitize revenue collection in Edo State and protect citizens from unlawful exploitation, the state government has banned revenue collection by transport unions.
The Secretary to the State Government (SSG) Umar Ikhilor, made this known in a statement on Wednesday.
The state government said it “has observed with grave concern the alarming resurgence of illegal revenue collection by certain unions and organizations under various guises across the state.
It statement said the state government has observed that some of the transport unions, previously given limited authorization to collaborate with the Edo State Internal Revenue Service (EIRS) under clearly defined terms, have grossly violated the conditions of their engagement and resorted to cash collections, extortions, social harassment, and intimidation.
Giving specific details, the state government stressed that “the activities of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria (RTEAN), ANNEWAT, and Drivers on Wheel, are hereby banned with immediate effect.
“These unions are not authorized to collect any form of dues, levies, taxes, or charges from motorists, drivers, traders, or any member of the public in Edo State.
“This ban also extends to Atalakpa Recovery Concept Limited, a private consultant, earlier engaged to enforce compliance.
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“Credible reports reaching the people-loving governor indicate that the firm and its workers have become complicit in widespread extortion and abuse of mandate, thereby betraying the trust reposed in them by the state.”
Also, the state government said that it considers these actions acts of economic sabotage, social oppression, and a direct affront to law and order.
“The era of using unions as fronts to harass, intimidate, or extort drivers and road users in the name of revenue collection is over.
“All activities of the aforementioned unions are suspended indefinitely.
“Henceforth, no individual or group under any of these unions is permitted to collect any form of payment from motorists or road users; all motorists, drivers, and road users are strongly advised not to pay any cash or comply with any form of illegal levy imposed by these banned entities.
Reports of any such illegal activity should be forwarded immediately to the Edo State Special Taskforce, coordinated by SP Michael Anetor via 08038157126.
“The commissioner of police and all relevant security agencies have been duly notified and directed to arrest and prosecute any individual or group found violating this directive,” the statement added.
