Abia govt orders for fresh registration of commercial vehicles

THE Governor Of Abia State, Gov. Okezie Ikpeazu, to stem further clashes between revenue collectors and transport unions has directed that all commercial vehicles plying within the state will be enumerated, digitally captured and registered by the state government.

Governor Ikpeazu who spoke through his State Commissioner for Information, Chief John Okiyi Kalu, yesterday, said the order followed his meeting with the executive members of various transport unions in the state on Tuesday.

The governor stated, “All approvals given to revenue consultants, agents and contractors to collect motorized (flying) revenue on behalf of Abia State Government have been cancelled.”

He also said, “The state’s global consultants on IGR, CSDC consulting, in partnership with Abia State Internal Revenue Service and transport unions will henceforth collaborate to collect all flying revenues due to the state.”

Dr Ikpeazu also emphasized, “only the dully recognized and approved transport unions in the state are to sell daily tickets to their members and remit to the Government through Abia State Internal Revenue Service in partnership with the global consultants, CSDC”

On the request made by the transport unions to review revenue collections, the governor approved the payable daily revenues as follows: “(A) Tricycles (Keke) to pay N150 per day instead of N190. (B) 7 seater mini bus (Oke bekee) reduced from N350 per day to N300. (C) Other buses reduced from N1100 per day to N600. (D) Tipper/Light Truck reduced from N2,400 to N1,700 daily.(E)Truck/Lorry/Tanker/Trailer reduced from N2,700 Per day to N2,100.”

ALSO READ: IPOB agitation right, method wrong ―Ikpeazu

According to him, “All the daily payments are to be made once a day through the Transport unions and remitted to the government immediately. All commercial vehicles plying within Abia State shall be enumerated, digitally captured and registered for enhancement of security within the state.

He further said that as soon as the enumeration and registration of tricycles is completed the government would announce the phased extension of operating time for “Keke operators” in the state.

“At the expiration of the deadline for registration of tricycles and other vehicles, security agencies in the state are advised to impound unregistered vehicles and prosecute the operators in accordance with the law”, he concluded.