Over 25 suspected persons involved in the illegal collection of tolls from motorists across Ebonyi state have been arrested.
Igboke Collins Emeka, Commissioner for Transportation in the state disclosed this in an interview with newsmen in his office on Tuesday in Abakaliki.
Igboke said the arrests were part of the state government’s efforts to address the issue of double taxation that has become a nightmare to motorists in the state, added that his office had taken proactive steps to identify and eliminate illegal toll collections.
“The government is trying to reduce the double taxation that motorists are passing through. We are working hard to make sure there is peace in the transport sector and for the people to have trust in what the current administration is doing,” he said.
“We went to the Board of Internal Revenue to furnish our office with the list of contractors awarded transport-related contracts. We then called a meeting with all contractors and local government representatives, ordering that any contractor involved in transport should register with us,” he said.
The Commissioner explained that the ministry has identified nearly 27 illegal toll collection points in the state.
“Some of them we have arrested and charged to prosecute. For those who have genuine contracts with the government, we will also look at the revenue chart to know if what they are collecting matches what the revenue generation white paper is saying.
“For now, we have gained confidence from the transporters, they are happy with the way we are going,” Igboke said.
According to him, the introduction of electronic payment systems for internally generated revenue by motorists is within the ambit of the Ministry of Finance. “Our governor has a human face; he doesn’t force people to do what they don’t want to do. He gives everyone equal rights”.
The commissioner noted that any such initiative would likely seek public input before implementation and appealed to the public to be law-abiding in obeying the traffic regulations in the capital city.
“Let us give Governor Nwifuru’s administration a helping hand, support him in prayer, and support Governor Nwifuru in all that he said we should do. I ask the people to believe in his government; the little he has done now is very great and he still has a lot to do for the people,” he said.
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