Otti Suspends All Transport Levies, Promises to Sanitize System

The Governor of Abia State, Dr Alex Otti has suspended all transport levies payable to Abia state government and imposed on Tricycles (Keke), Buses, Taxis, and other commercial vehicles plying Abia roads.

In a statement by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Media and Publicity, FerdinandEkeoma on Wednesday revealed that the suspension is in line with the campaign promise of the Governor who had promised to sanitize the State of all methods of extortion, intimidation and harassment by motorists.

Stating clearly that the suspension takes place with immediate effect disclosed that the directive is indefinite until proper reviews of these levies have been made and a smooth solution found.

The statement reads; ‘In line with the campaign promise of the Abia state governor, Dr. Alex Otti, OFR to sanitize methods of revenue collection in the state and stop all kinds of extortion, intimidation and harassement of motorists, the governor has directed the immediate suspension of all kinds of Transport Levies payable to Abia state government and imposed on Tricycles (Keke), Buses, Taxis and other commercial vehicles plying Abia roads.

This 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.

The government 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.’