By correspondent in Lokoja
The Kogi State Governor, Alhaji Usman Ododo, has imposed a ban on the illegal collection of daily revenue by transport unions across all 21 local government areas of the state.
The directive mandates immediate enforcement by security agencies, with the governor emphasizing that any disruptions to public order will not be tolerated under his administration.
Ododo issued the order on Wednesday in Lokoja during a comprehensive meeting with transport union officials, security agencies, the Kogi State Internal Revenue Service, and other key stakeholders.
The Governor emphasized that while the government respects individuals’ constitutional rights to freedom of association, union dues must be fair, transparent, and collected in accordance with union by-laws — not on a daily basis.
Represented by the Commissioner for Information and Communications, Kingsley Fanwo, Ododo condemned the practice of collecting unlawful dues and reiterated that such actions cannot continue under a responsible government.
“We will not hesitate to act decisively when personal or group interests undermine the collective good of our people,” the Governor stressed.
He noted that the Infrastructure Maintenance Levy (IML), established under the Kogi State Revenue Harmonization Law in 2017, was designed to support infrastructure development through small daily contributions from commercial vehicles.
However, he explained that some union leaders had undermined the system by collecting illegal dues rather than remitting the legally mandated funds to the government, thus depriving both the unions’ members and the state of essential revenue.
Governor Ododo outlined the approved daily Infrastructure Maintenance Levy rates of N500 to N700 for various vehicles — including tricycles, motorcycles, buses, and taxis — based on their operational areas within the state.
This measure was introduced after consultations with transport unions, with the aim of alleviating the burden of multiple payments while considering the unions’ interests.
“We are counting on the cooperation of all stakeholders to ensure the success of this initiative, which is aimed at enhancing our infrastructure and improving the standard of living for all Kogi State residents,” he said
The Deputy Director of the Department of State Services (DSS), Peter Fashola, assured that the security agencies would work closely with the government to ensure full compliance with the ban.
Union representatives, including Yahaya Ibrahim for the NURTW and Ovoro Abdullahi Ovurevu for tricycle operators,in their separate response, promised to educate their members on the new development.
Edited by Dada Ahmed.
