Abia state governor, Dr. Alex Otti, has announced the suspension of all Transport Levies payable to the state government and imposed on Tricycles (Keke), Buses, Taxis and other commercial vehicles plying Abia roads with immediate effect.
He said this is in line with his campaign promises as well as sanitising methods of revenue collection in the state and stop what he called all kinds of extortion, intimidation and harassement of motorists.
This is according to a statement on Wednesday signed by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Ferdinand Ekeoma.
The statement says 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 it would not lead to extortion, intimidation and violation of rights and privileges of Abia residents.”
According to the State Government, it 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.”
