The Delta State Government has taken a bold step to address the menace of illegal revenue collection along the Federal Highway at Anifekede, Ika South Local Government Area.
The government has ordered the arrest of these unauthorized individuals who have been extorting and harassing truck drivers transporting granite from Edo State to Delta State.
According to the Union of Tippers and Quarry Employers of Nigeria, these illegal revenue collectors set up checkpoints on the Benin-Asaba highway, targeting trucks conveying granite from quarry sites in Edo to Delta State. The extortionists use dangerous weapons, including woods with nails, to force truck drivers to pay a “road passage fee.”
The Chairman of the union, Mr. Wilson Ogbachi, revealed that these illegal collectors issue two receipts to truck drivers: one from the Delta State Board of Internal Revenue and the other from the Directorate of Transport. Ogbachi appealed to the governor and other authorities to intervene and rescue their members from the daily extortion and harassment.
“We are crying to the governor and other authorities to come to our aid and rescue us from the daily extortion and harassment of our members who convey granite along Federal highway from Edo to Delta State.
“These illegal collectors collect revenue from trucks conveying granite/stones from quarry sites in Edo to Delta State.
“They mount checkpoints along the Benin-Asaba highway, at Alifekede, Agbor, Delta State; they stop tippers conveying granite, using woods with nails and other dangerous weapons to compel truck drivers to pay road passage fee.
“They collect money from us and issue us two receipts; one of the Delta State Board of Internal Revenue while the other receipt bears directorate of transport. Sometimes, they use their wood to shatter our glasses and beat drivers.”
The Executive Director (Operation), Delta State Board of Internal Revenue, Mr. Frank Nwagu, confirmed that the revenue collectors at the Anifekede spot operated illegally and should be arrested. “We did not send them, and we are not aware of the receipt, they are operating illegally and should be arrested,” he said.
The Delta State Government’s order to arrest these illegal revenue collectors is a welcome development, and it is expected to bring relief to truck drivers and owners who have been subjected to harassment and extortion.
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Jerome Kalu
Jerome Kalu is currently the Senior Correspondent of PIJAlance in Lagos. He was previously the Campus Information Desk (CID) Editor.