The governor of Abia State, Dr. Alex Otti, has directed the immediate suspension of all kinds of Transport Levies payable to Abia government and imposed on Tricycles (Keke), Buses, Taxis and other commercial vehicles plying Abia roads.
This is in line with the campaign promise of the governor to sanitize methods of revenue collection in the state and stop all kinds of extortion, intimidation and harassment of motorists, according to a statement by the governor’s media aide, Ferdinand Ekeoma on Wednesday.
He said that the suspension takes immediate effect and will remain until government reviews these levies and makes public its arrangements for the smooth, organized and transparent collection of such transport Levies in a manner that would not lead to extortion, intimidation and violation of rights and privileges of Abia residents.
The government, the statement said, 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.
Ekeoma said that in the light of the above decision, the governor has asked all those involved, directly and indirectly to 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.