The Edo State Government, yesterday, banned the activities of transport unions in the state and barred them from collection of government revenues with immediate effect.
In a statement signed by Secretary to the State Government, Umar Musa Ikhilor,the Government said, “Specifically, the activities of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria (RTEAN), ANNEWAT, and Drivers on Wheel, are hereby banned with immediate effect. These unions are not authorized to collect any form of dues, levies, taxes, or charges from motorists, drivers, traders, or any member of the public in Edo State.
“This ban also extends to Atalakpa Recovery Concept Ltd, a private consultant earlier engaged to enforce compliance. Credible reports reaching the people-loving Governor, indicate that the 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 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.
“The government has observed with grave concern the alarming resurgence of illegal revenue collection by certain unions and organizations under various guises across the State, adding that It has become clear that some of these groups, previously given limited authorization to collaborate with the Edo State Internal Revenue Service (EIRS) under clearly defined terms, have grossly violated the conditions of their engagement and resorted to cash collections, extortions, social harassment and intimidation.
“The government has therefore, warned that no individual or group under any of these unions is permitted to collect any form of payment from motorists or road users.
“Besides, it strongly advised motorists, drivers, and road users not to pay any cash or comply with any form of illegal levy imposed by the banned entities but to report any illegal activity to the Edo State Special Taskforce.
“The Commissioner of Police and all relevant security agencies have been duly notified and directed to arrest and prosecute any individual or group found violating this directive.”
Meanwhile, Officials of the state government have arrested 10 individuals for illegally extorting money from drivers, traders, and market women.The arrest followed their refusal to adhere to the State’s official ban on unauthorized revenue collection in a move meant to cleanse the revenue collection system.The arrest, which took place across several locations in Benin City, followed the Governor’s earlier directive banning the NURTW, RTEAN, ANNEWAT, Drivers on Wheel, and Atalakpa Recovery Concept Ltd. from revenue collection.
According to the Edo State Government, the affected unions had flagrantly violated the conditions under which they were permitted to collaborate with the Edo State Internal Revenue Service (EIRS).
Instead of adhering to the State’s mandate against cash collections, they resorted to extortion, harassment, and intimidation, culminating in acts of violence such as the reported assault on a commercial driver who refused to yield to illegal demands.
Speaking on the State’s position, Secretary to the State Government, Umar Musa Ikhilor emphasized that Governor Okpebholo remains committed to sanitizing the revenue system and protecting the people of the state from oppression and economic exploitation.
