Gov. Chukwuma Soludo of Anambra has announced a reduction in the amount of levies payable by public transport operators in the state.
Soludo announced this at a meeting with stakeholders in the transport sector in Awka on Wednesday.
He also approved a weekly payment option as against monthly payment.
He also suspended the collection of loading and offloading fee from haulage vehicles until further notice.
The governor reaffirmed the ban on collection of levy from hawkers, wheelbarrow pushers and other forms of indigent traders.
He said that his administration was addressing the issues of multiple taxation, describing it as a huge disincentive to trade and commerce.
He said that government would evolve a progressive, simplified and technology-driven tax system, where the rich would pay more and touts would have no role any longer.
Soludo said it had become necessary to fine tune the revenue collection system.
According to him, about 90 per cent of the proceeds from multiple levies never reached the government but ended up in private pockets.
With the new rates, tricycle operators are to pay N10,000 as against N15,000 with an option of N2,500 per week.
Taxi operators, who were paying N17,500 per month, would pay N12,000 henceforth.
Mini bus operators would now pay N15,000 per month as against N30,000 while the shuttle bus would now pay N12,000 per month instead of N25,000.
Also, mini truck levy was slashed from N25,000 to N15,000, while motorcycle operators would now pay N4,000 monthly as against N7,500.
Soludo said that transport unions would continue to exist but must be registered and managed by those operating the sector.
He said that renteer unionists would no longer be allowed.
He urged them to cooperate optimally and reciprocate government’s kind gesture.
He said that tax was crucial to executing public sector policies and programmes.
The governor gave assurance that every money meant for the people would be utilised to work for them. (NAN)
