All transport fees levied against commercial drivers in the state have been halted, according to Alex Otti, governor of Abia State.
This was said in a statement released on Wednesday by Mr. Ferdinand Ekeoma, the special adviser to the governor on media and publicity.
He said that the order was in keeping with the governor’s election pledge to clean up the state’s tax collection practices and put an end to all types of extortion, intimidation, and harassment of drivers.
The statement read:
“The governor has directed the immediate suspension of all kinds of transport levies payable to the Abia State government and imposed on tricycles (Keke), buses, taxis, and other commercial vehicles plying Abia roads.
“This suspension takes immediate effect, and will remain until government reviews these levies and makes public its arrangements for the smooth, organised and transparent collection of such transport levies in a manner it would not lead to extortion, intimidation and violation of rights and privileges of Abia residents.
“The government believes that the present method is archaic and very harmful to the lives of the people and the economic well-being of the state, and thus should not be allowed to continue.
“In the light of the above decision, the governor has asked all those involved, directly and indirectly, to please discontinue forthwith, or face the wrath of the law, as security agents have been briefed and directed to apprehend and bring to justice anyone found violating this directive.”
