Enugu State government has banned all forms of illegal tolls and extortion of motorists by touts, warning that flouters of the order would face the full wrath of the law.
It also announced the cancellation of all existing produce and haulage revenue collection contracts by various Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs).
The government said those responsibilities would now be taken over by service hubs to be established in partnership with Heavyhaul Services Limited to meet the needs of logistics businesses and heavy-duty vehicles that transport goods in and out of Enugu State.
The secretary to the state government (SGF), Prof. Chidiebere Onyia disclosed this at a press conference held at the Government House, Enugu, with critical stakeholders in attendance.
This was even as stakeholders, including the Commissioner of Police, Enugu State, represented by Deputy Commissioner of Police Olasoji Akinbayo; Chairman, National Union of Road Transport Workers, (NUTRW), Mr. Austine Agu; representative of Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria (RTEAN), Mr. Obinna Agbo; traditional ruler of Amalla Egazi Autonomous Community, Igwe Patrick Eze; and the traditional ruler of Ibagwa Nike, Igwe Emmanuel Ugwu, commended Governor Peter Mbah for the initiative, pledging to work with the administration to actualise it.
Onyia said, “The Enugu State Government recognises the pivotal role of efficient logistics and transportation infrastructure in driving our target to grow our economy from $4.4 billion to $30 billion naira and make the state the preferred destination for business, investment, tourism, and for living.
“Therefore, the government notes with dismay the reports of the incessant harassment and extortion of motorists and transporters by touts and hoodlums, who masquerade as revenue collectors in some parts of the state,” he said.
