The State Government on Wednesday announced the immediate ban of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), the Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria (RTEAN), and Atalakpa Recovery Concept Ltd — a private firm owned by Comrade Tony Kabaka Adun — from collecting any form of revenue on its behalf, a move to sanitise revenue collection and curb extortion.
The ban, announced in a statement signed by the Secretary to the State Government, Umar Musa Ikhilor, also extends to two other groups — ANNEWAT and Drivers on Wheel — over what the government described as “cash collections, extortions, social harassment and intimidation” carried out under the guise of official duties.
The government’s decision follows what it termed a “resurgence of illegal revenue collection” by various unions and organisations, many of whom were previously granted limited collaboration with the Edo State Internal Revenue Service (EIRS) under strict guidelines.
“The Edo State Government, under the leadership of His Excellency, Senator Monday Okpebholo, has observed with grave concern the alarming resurgence of illegal revenue collection by certain unions and organisations under various guises across the State,” the statement read.
“It has become clear that some of these groups, previously given limited authorisation to collaborate with the Edo State Internal Revenue Service (EIRS) under clearly defined terms, have grossly violated the conditions of their engagement and resorted to cash collections, extortions, social harassment and intimidation.”
Describing the actions of the affected unions as “acts of economic sabotage, social oppression, and a direct affront to law and order,” the state government declared that all activities by these groups are “suspended indefinitely”.
The ban covers all forms of dues, levies, taxes, or charges from motorists, drivers, traders or members of the public. The government emphasised that no individual or group from the affected organisations is authorised to collect any form of payment going forward.
“The era of using unions as fronts to harass, intimidate, or extort drivers and road users in the name of revenue collection is over,” the statement added.
Citing “credible reports” of abuse and betrayal of trust, the government specifically singled out Atalakpa Recovery Concept Ltd, stating that the private firm had become complicit in widespread extortion.
Motorists and the general public were strongly advised not to comply with any illegal demands for cash payments by any of the banned entities.
The Edo State Government has also directed the State Commissioner of Police, Monday Agbonika, to arrest and prosecute anyone found violating the directive, warning that offenders would be “severely dealt with.”
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