Edo State Government has banned a private consultant, Atalakpa Recovery Concept Limited and other various transport unions from collecting any form of dues, levies, taxes or charges from motorists in the State.
The Secretary to the State Government, Umar Ikhilor disclosed this in a statement made available to newsmen on Wednesday in Benin, the Edo State Capital.
Ikhilor also said the private consulting firm, owned by the Edo State youth leader of the All Progressives Congress, APC, and the transport unions, are banned from collecting taxes from any member of the public in the state.
He said the Atalakpa Recovery Concept Limited was earlier engaged by the government to enforce payment of tax compliance by taxpayers in the State.
He posited that credible reports reached the State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, that the consulting firm and its workers have become complicit in widespread extortion and abuse of mandate, thereby betraying the trust reposed in them by the State.
The transport unions banned from the tax collections are the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria (RTEAN), ANNEWAT, and Drivers on Wheels.
The Secretary to the State Government said the ban is with immediate effect.
He said the consultant and the unions were previously given limited authorisation to collaborate with the Edo State Internal Revenue Service, EIRS, under clearly defined terms.
He added that the unions grossly violated the conditions of their engagement and resorted to cash collections, extortions, social harassment and intimidation.
Ikhilor explained that the state government observed with grave concern the alarming resurgence of illegal revenue collection by certain unions and organisations under various guises across the State.
He said the Commissioner of Police in the State and all relevant security agencies have been duly notified and directed to arrest and prosecute any individual or group found violating this directive.
According to him, the Government considers these actions as 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.
“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.
“Edo State Government, under the leadership of the people-loving Governor, His Excellency, Senator Monday Okpebholo, remains committed to sanitizing the revenue system and protecting its citizens from unlawful exploitation.
“Let this serve as a final warning to all parties engaged in or considering such illegal activities: the full weight of the law will be brought upon you.
“Reports of any such illegal activity should be forwarded immediately to the Edo State Special Taskforce, coordinated by SP Michael Anetor via 08038157126”, he stated.
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