Felix Otaru, Lokoja
Kogi State Governor, Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo has banned daily collection of revenue by transport unions across all twenty one Local Government Areas.
Governor Ododo made this known at a strategic stakeholders engagement meeting in Lokoja.
Kogi State Revenue Harmonization Law introduced the Infrastructure Maintenance Levy (IML) in 2017, a daily Levy which commercial vehicles plying the roads are expected to pay.
The IML was introduced to improve lives and livelihood, ensure economic growth through the maintenance and improvement of state’s infrastructure.
Governor Ododo who was represented at the event by the Commissioner of Information and Communication, Kingsley Fanwo noted that the present administration is committed to impact positively on the lives of the people by creating conducive environment for businesses to thrive as well as lay solid foundation for sustainable growth and development.
According to him, the present administration will continue to support individuals, groups as well as associations who demonstrates commitment towards the growth and development of Kogi State.
The Governor who noted that constitutional rights of individuals to freedom of association will be respected by the State Government however emphasized that union dues must be fair and agreed upon by members and collected monthly, bi-annually or annually and not daily as captured in their by-laws.
He explained that after consultations with relevant stakeholders including the various unions, the State Government has earmarked the following as the official rates for Infrastructure Maintenance Levy across the State.
For tricycles, popularly called Keke and taxi cab within Lokoja metropolis will pay 500 as IML, while Motorcycles popularly called Okada, Buses and Sienna within Lokoja metropolis are expected to pay 400, 700, 600 naira respectively.
Tricycles, Motorcycles, taxi cab and Sienna outside Lokoja metropolis are also expected to pay 400, 300, 400 and 500 naira respectively.
Responding, Chairman of Kogi State Chapter of National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), Alhaji Yahaya Ibrahim and his counterparts in other transport unions pledged to abide by the new policy, adding that it is for the overall development of Kogi State.
