Imo SSG urges MDAs to focus on core mandates, avoid interference

The Secretary to the Government of Imo State, Chief Cosmas Iwu, has urged Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) to focus on their core mandates and avoid unnecessary interference.

This directive follows a public outcry from motorists in the state and the need for a seamless revenue collection process by authorised agents in the transport and market sectors.

Chief Iwu issued this charge during a meeting at his office in Owerri with several key stakeholders, including Commissioner of Transport Dr Chika Benson Abazu, Commissioner for Trade, Commerce, and Investment Barr. Rex Anunobi, Imo State Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) Elder Sam Udeh, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Transport Mr. Ogunsonya Bimola, SA on Security to the Governor Gen. J.C. Ogbonna (rtd), Acting Permanent Secretary of the Political Affairs Bureau, Cabinet Office, Mr. Isaac Oguzie, and other sector stakeholders.

The meeting aimed to address the public’s concerns regarding the harassment of motorists by illegal revenue collectors and touts.

Chief Iwu emphasised that the 3R administration of Governor Hope Uzodimma is committed to the welfare of Imo citizens.

He explained that concerning market tolls and storage fees introduced at the Naze Timber and Allied Market and Motor Park, the state government has authorised the Imo State Internal Revenue Services (IIRS) to recruit trained Revenue Collectors.

These collectors are to be utilised exclusively for revenue collection, with MDAs directed to work with IIRS and avoid involving other agents in their revenue processes.

Chief Iwu stated that MDAs should coordinate with IIRS to ensure that revenue collectors are assigned to various collection points. MDAs are expected to supervise rather than directly participate in revenue collection.

He commended the leadership and members of the NURTW, Imo State Chapter, for their support of Governor Uzodimma’s administration and urged the union, especially Imo City Bus transport operators, to approach the fuel situation and transport fare adjustments with understanding and empathy.

Earlier in his speech, Commissioner for Transport Dr Chika Abazu highlighted the various challenges facing the transport sector in the state, which he said require reform.

Dr Abazu explained that his ministry is working diligently to transform the transport sector but expressed concerns about the recent introduction of market tolls.

He noted that the involvement of the NURTW in managing these tolls at the Naze Timber and Allied Market has caused significant friction.

This friction is evident both between the NURTW and the Ministry of Trade, Commerce, and Investment, and between the NURTW and the traders in the market.

Dr Abazu mentioned that his ministry had addressed the recent protest by Imo City bus transport operators in the Orji chapter, assuring them that the government will review their complaints regarding harassment and the impounding of their buses by the Biometric Data Capture Committee.

Contributing to the discussion, Commissioner for Trade, Commerce, and Investment Barr. Rex Anunobi stated that the collection of market tolls falls under the statutory mandate of his ministry. He explained that out of the 757 markets in the state, only the Naze Timber and Allied Market had not been paying the required tolls.

To address this, the NURTW was involved in managing toll collection at the market’s exit points due to its large size, assisting the market master.

Elder Sam Udeh, the State Chairman of NURTW, praised Governor Uzodimma as a supportive leader of the NURTW and commended the governor’s significant achievements, particularly in road construction.

He assured that NURTW members are law-abiding and are cooperating with security agencies to combat issues such as “one chance” scams and organ harvesters who disguise themselves as Imo City Bus operators.

Elder Udeh also requested that the Task Force on Free Traffic Flow and Obstruction incorporate a more humane approach in their duties and urged the Ministry of Trade, Commerce, and Investment to refrain from involving NURTW members in the collection of market tolls.

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