Imo bans touting, illegal levies as commuters lament fare hike

3 months ago 47

By Charles Ogugbuaja, Owerri

21 August 2024 | 2:18 am

The Imo State government has banned touting and illegal collection of fees by unauthorised persons.This was contained in a statement by the Secretary to the Government of Imo State, Chief Cosmas Iwu, directing that only authorised officials of the Imo State Internally Revenue Service (IIRS) are empowered to collect levies.

He said: “The government of Imo State has observed with great sadness and regret the resurgence of touting and illegal collection of levies by unauthorised persons, especially in Owerri and other major towns of the state.”

The state government said officials of the IIRS authorised to collect levies have been counselled to be civil as they undertake their duties. In another development, commuters in different parts of Owerri Municipal and environs trekked long distances to their destinations yesterday.

They were enraged that intra-city commercial vehicles suddenly increased fares between 50 and 100 per cent yesterday. The fare from Wetheral/MCC to Uratta Road was increased from N150 to between N300 and N400, while areas previously charged N100 were increased to N200.

Some drivers who spoke with The Guardian blamed the hike on the increased fuel pump price, which is now N950 per litre at fuel stations in the city. A commercial bus driver, Chukwudi Uzoka, said: “There is no way we can continue charging the old rate.

We were not able to repair our vehicles, feed our families, and take care of ourselves. Fuel is now N950 per litre. It is either they pay, or they trek. We are not the cause. The removal of fuel subsidies is the reason for the hike in prices of every commodity.”

3 mins ago

8 mins ago

Amid the prevailing hardships in the country, Governor Bala Mohammed has presented multi-million exotic Sports Utility Vehicles (SUVs) to six first class emirs in Bauchi State.

8 mins ago

Operatives of the Edo State Police Command had raided a black spot where illicit drugs are sold and arrested two brothers, Adodo Irorehe, ‘m’, 62 and Godwin Isaac Irorehe, ‘m’, 40, owners of the premises.

8 mins ago

A mob has killed two suspected motorcycle snatchers and set one of the lifeless bodies ablaze in Misau Local Council of Bauchi State. The spokesperson for the Bauchi State Police Command, Ahmed Wakil, who confirmed the development in a statement

17 mins ago

Presidency, yesterday, outlined some measures designed to cut down the Federal Government expenditure in the United Nations Climate Change Conference, Conference of Parties (COP29), scheduled to take place in Baku, the capital of Azerbaijan in November.

27 mins ago

President of Baptist Conference, Kwara State chapter, Dr Victor Adebayo Dada, has canvassed legislation that would discourage incessant decamping among politicians.

57 mins ago

The Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Ogun State, Niyi Ijalaye, is dead. Ijalaye slumped and died in Abuja on Monday evening after a meeting of RECs

2 hours ago

Anambra State has emphasised the importance of effective waste management structures and systems to safeguard the environment. The state government also reaffirmed its commitment to recycling plastic waste

1 day ago

The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Edo State Branch, on Tuesday, expressed worry over the spate of kidnappings in the country with medical practitioners and students being targets. Chairman, NMA Edo State, Dr. Eustace Oseghale, in a statement, said it is worrisome that medical practitioners, and now even medical students are being targeted. He frowned at…

1 day ago

Nigeria has a solid legal basis to reclaim its presidential jets, which were recently seized by a French court. This position was emphasised yesterday by Nigeria’s former Minister of Justice and Attorney-General of the Federation, Michael Aondoakaa

Visit Source