From Joseph Amedu, Lokoja
Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo of Kogi state has banned with immediate effect, illegal collection of membership dues and other related revenue from commercial road users by various transportation unions in the state.
The governor announced the ban during an interactive session with critical stakeholders in the transportation industry on how best to ensure effective implementation of the 2017, Kogi State Revenue Harmonization law which introduced the Infrastructure Maintenance Levy (IML)- a small daily contribution by commercial vehicles playing our roads held in Lokoja on Tuesday.
Ododo who was represented by the State’s Commissioner of Information and Communications, Kingsley Fanwo, said that the essence of establishing the levy was to maintain and improve the state’s infrastructure which according to him is vital for economic growth.
The Governor lamented that the implementation of this law has been undermined by some transport union leaders who prioritise personal gain over the interest of their members and the state.
According to the governor instead of remitting these funds as stipulated, they have resorted to collecting illegal members dues, depriving both their members and the government of much-needed revenue.
“As a responsible government, we cannot allow this trend to continue unchecked. Security agencies have been directed to enforce strict compliance, and we will not tolerate any disruption to public order in the implementation of this directive.
“While we respect the constitutional rights of individuals to freedom of association, we emphasize that union dues must be fair, agreed upon by members, and collected monthly, bi-annually, or annually as specified in their by-laws- not daily
“As a result of consultations with relevant stakeholders, including the unions, we have established the new rates for the Infrastructure Maintenance Levy across the state as follows;
S/N Category Coverage Rate
1. Tricycle within Lokoja- N500.00
2. Motorcycle within Lokoja-N400.00
3. Buses within Lokoja-N700.00
4. Sienna within Lokoja-N600.00
5. Taxi Cab within Lokoja-N500.00
6. Tricycle Outside Lokoja-N400.00
7. Motorcycle Outside Lokoja-N300.00
8.Taxi Cab Outside Lokoja-N400.00
9. Sienna Outside Lokoja-N500.00
The governor disclosed that the above rate was arrived at in order to give a measure of relief to the motorists and operators from the burden of multiple payments, while the interest of relevant unions was also considered.
He directed Kogi State’s Commissioner of Transportation, Victor Atuluku and the Executive Chairman of Kogi State Revenue Service, Salihu Sule Enehe to ensure the immediate and seamless implementation of the new policy.
Kogi State Security Adviser, Jerry Omodara, Commissioner of Transportation, Victor Atuluku, representatives of the Police, Civil Defence, Road Safety and Transport union leaders in their separate contributions during the stakeholders session, gave an assurance that they would work in collaboration to ensure full implementation of the new policy.
They also warned operators of commercial Tricycles and Motorcycles found in the habit of playing the highway on long distance journey to desist forthwith in order to reduce road accidents associated with this development.
