By NewsCritic Reporters
Abia State Chairman of Nigeria Association of Road Transport Owners, NARTO, Deacon Amaobi Ohaeri, has applauded the suspension of all forms of transport levies in Abia State by the Governor, Dr Alex Otti, describing it as a good development.
NewsCritic online reports that Gov Alex Otti had last week announced the suspension of all transport levies imposed on commercial drivers in the state, including tricycle operators popularly known as ‘Keke’ in a bid to sanitize revenue collection process in Abia State.
Speaking to newsmen in Umuahia weekend, the Chairman of NARTO Abia State chapter, Deacon Amaobi Ohaeri, said he is happy with the directive because it came as a relief to transport owners who had been subjected to imposition of multiple levies by revenue agents.
He said that the governor’s directive came at the right time because it has become necessary to harmonize and streamline revenue collection in the transport sector in order to lessen the burden on transport owners, who are been harassed daily by revenue agents.
Said Amaobi “As the chairman of NARTO I’m happy over the suspension of collection of transport levies. I want to believe that Gov Alex Otti has the capacity and competence to ensure that revenue collection in the transport sector is properly defined and organised.
“Let me also believe that his team knows exactly what should be done. Transporters are not tax evaders, but we are against multiple taxation, extortion and harassment by revenue officials. As transport owners we know we should pay tax, but it has to be streamlined and unified so if you pay you know you have paid.
“But a situation the government introduces emblems and you are to pay at the beginning of the year for one full year and all of a sudden you started having daily tickets with all manner of names. The truth remains that any revenue agent you see on the streets have govt backing or authority. Govt see it as a way of settling cronies, today most revenue that ought to be collected by LGA have been hijacked by the state.
The NARTO Chairman appealed to Gov Otti to ensure that the right candidate is put in charge of the transport ministry to avoid the mistakes of past administration. He said that one of the problems the unions faced at Aba was the outright leasing of one of the parks by the then commissioner for transport to an individual.
While congratulating Gov Otti on his assumption to office, Deacon Ohaeri asked the gov to always engage the stakeholders to achieve the best results.
