Abia Suspends Transportation Levies

Abia State government has suspended levies on commercial transportation in the state to sanitise the methods of collection and to stop extortion, intimidation, and harassment of the operators

This was contained in a statement by the special adviser to the governor on media and publicity, Ferdinand Ekeoma which was made available to newsmen in Umuahia, the state capital, yesterday.

The statement said the suspension which is with immediate effect is in line with the campaign promise of the governor, Alex Otti, who was sworn into office on Monday.

“The suspension will remain until the government reviews the levies and makes arrangements for their smooth, organised and transparent collection to end the challenges,” it said.

It explained that 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 should be stopped.

“In the light of the above decision,” it maintained, “the governor has asked those involved either directly and indirectly with the collection to discontinue forthwith or face the wrath of the law.”

Furthermore, it explained that “The security agents have been briefed and directed to apprehend and bring to justice anyone found violating this directive.”