The Edo State Government has announced the prohibition of the activities of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) and the Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria (RTEAN) over concerns of unlawful revenue collection.
The decision comes in response to a troubling resurgence of illegal levies being demanded by unions and organisations operating under various identities across the state.
Authorities noted that some of the groups previously granted limited approval to partner with the Edo State Internal Revenue Service (EIRS), within specific guidelines, “had grossly violated the conditions of their engagement and resorted to cash collections, extortions, social harassment and intimidation.”
In a statement issued on Wednesday by Secretary to the State Government, Umar Ikhilor, the government declared, “Specifically, the activities of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria (RTEAN), ANNEWAT, and Drivers on Wheel are hereby banned with immediate effect.”
“These unions are not authorised to collect any form of dues, levies, taxes, or charges from motorists, drivers, traders, or any member of the public in Edo State,” the statement further stressed.
The directive also applies to a private consulting firm previously contracted to ensure compliance. The government said, “Credible reports reaching the people-loving governor indicate that the firm and its workers have become complicit in widespread extortion and abuse of mandate, thereby betraying the trust reposed in them by the state.”
It continued: “The government considers these actions as acts of economic sabotage, social oppression, and a direct affront to law and order. 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 state government emphasized that no member or affiliate of these unions is allowed to solicit or collect any form of payment from road users and urged motorists to reject and report any such demand.
The public is advised to report any unlawful payment requests to the Edo State Special Task Force.
“The Commissioner of Police and all relevant security agencies have been duly notified and directed to arrest and prosecute any individual or group found violating this directive,” the statement said.
It concluded by reaffirming the state’s dedication to a clean and transparent revenue system:
“Edo State Government, under the leadership of the people-loving Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, remains committed to sanitising the revenue system and protecting its citizens from unlawful exploitation.
Let this serve as a final warning to all parties engaged in or considering such illegal activities. The full weight of the law will be brought upon you.