The Enugu State government on Monday, August 7, banned the collection of Levies and tolls along highways and roads in the state.
By Chidinma Eseke
In a statement signed by Chidiebere Onyia, secretary to the state government, he said the government “views with utmost displeasure the activities of those who constitute nuisance on our roads and deploy all manner of crude tactics to extort monies from vehicles transporting goods, farm produce and livestock in our state, in the name of collection of levies and tolls on behalf of government.
“Such anti-business activities of syndicates operating on our highways and roads are contrary to the current government’s determination to dismantle obstacles to the ease of doing business in the state.
The current administration of His Excellency, Governor Peter Ndubuisi Mbah shall not pay lip service to its stated commitment to expand the Enugu economy sevenfold by promoting economic activities, enabling private sector investments, offering incentives to boost the productive sectors such as agricultural and agro-allied activities in the state. Those willing to engage in lawful economic and business activities in our state shall be encouraged to do so as they are beneficial to the state.”
The activities of touts, illegal revenue contractors and youth groups who block rodds and extort tolls from vehicles conveying goods across the state are rampant and inhibit the movement of goods in the state. Most of the money collected enter into private pockets.
In addition, the government has also moved against multiple taxation in the state.
“Government is also taking steps to eliminate multiple and illegal taxation in the state, including collection of taxes and revenues by individuals via cash payments, manual issuance of receipts, and paper tickets. Government is convinced that tax and revenue collection must be convenient and friendly via technology while addressing leakages.
“In view of the foregoing, the Enugu State Government hereby bans the collection of levies and tolls along highways and roads in the state by individuals or groups of individuals purportedly acting on behalf of government. They have been, by this announcement, put on notice to quit all highways and roads within the state as failure to comply will attract severe consequences. The ban takes effect immediately. A taskforce has been constituted to enforce the ban.”
According to the SSG, anyone caught in the illegal act henceforth shall be prosecuted.
Illegal revenue touts are rampant across the Southeast and increase the cost of farm produce in the zone as businessmen pass the cost to the customers. If effectively implemented, it will increase the movement of goods result in cheaper prices.
