(News analysis).
By Dada Ahmed.
The struggle to make ends meet in Kogi State is becoming increasingly difficult for its residents, especially with the rising cost of transportation and general living expenses.
A growing issue that many have been grappling with is the illegal revenue collection system that has burdened commercial drivers, transport unions, and the common man alike. In an effort to address the worsening financial strain, Kogi State Governor, Alhaji Usman Ododo, recently issued a ban on illegal daily revenue collection across all 21 local government areas of the state. This move comes as a response to the detrimental impact such practices have had on the economic wellbeing of the people.
For many Kogi residents, the illegal revenue collection has become a daily nuisance, especially for those who rely on public transport to get to work, school, or business. Commercial drivers are the primary targets, subjected to repeated and often arbitrary levies, a negative development that adds to their already high operational costs.
Many residents see these illegal fees as not only unjustifiable but also contributing to the rising cost of transportation, which in turn inflates the cost of living for average residents.
Findings show that transport unions, which are meant to represent the interests of their members, have unfortunately been caught in a cycle of exploitation by the elements that indulge in such illegal activity.
Experience shows that these unlawful dues often go unaccounted for and do not contribute to public welfare or development. This system undermines the state’s legal framework designed to generate revenue for infrastructure development, such as the Infrastructure Maintenance Levy (IML), established under the Kogi State Revenue Harmonization Law of 2017. While the IML was intended to fund road maintenance and other infrastructural projects through small, daily contributions from commercial vehicles, it has been hijacked by some elements who collect these funds but fail to remit them to the state.
This unchecked practice has not only drained resources from the government but has also deprived transport workers of their rightful earnings, with most of the revenue collected being funneled into the pockets of a few corrupt individuals. For drivers, this has meant increasing fare hikes as they try to cover the cost of these illegal dues, exacerbating the financial pressures faced by the everyday citizen.
Governor Ododo’s intervention comes as a much-needed relief to both transport workers and the general public. The ban on illegal revenue collection is part of a broader effort to restore order, transparency, and fairness to Kogi State’s transportation sector.
According to the Governor’s directive, security agencies are now tasked with ensuring strict enforcement of the ban, with any attempts to disrupt public order being met with decisive action.
In his address during a meeting in Lokoja, Ododo, represented by the Commissioner for Information and Communications, Kingsley Fanwo, underscored the importance of legal,fair and transparent revenue collection, stating that union dues must align with the established by-laws and should not be collected on a daily basis.
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 warned.
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.
These rates have been determined after consultations with various transport unions, with the goal of reducing the burden on commercial drivers while still contributing to the maintenance of essential infrastructure.
Union leaders, including Yahaya Ibrahim, the State Chairman of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) and Ovoro Abdullahi Ovurevu for tricycle operators, have pledged to cooperate with the state government by educating their members on the new guidelines.
The hope is that, these efforts will ultimately lead to a reduction in the cost of transportation and an improvement in the living conditions of the people of Kogi State.
No doubt, the ban on illegal collection of revenue in the state is a significant step in the right direction and needs the support of relevant stakeholders to succeed.
Therefore ,the cooperation of all stakeholders, including security agencies, transport workers, and the government, is crucial in ensuring that Kogi State can overcome the negative effects of illegal revenue collection and create a more sustainable and affordable transportation system for its people.
For now, residents and transport operators alike are hopeful that this bold action will help alleviate the financial pressures they have long endured and allow them to see a tangible improvement in their daily lives.
With the support of the people and the full enforcement of the ban, Kogi State can begin to rebuild a fairer and more equitable revenue system, ultimately lifting the heavy financial burdens that have plagued its people for years.
