Multiple taxation: Truck drivers block Abuja-Lokoja-Okene road

By Oyibo Salihu
Lokoja

The Abuja-Lokoja-Okene highways was yesterday blocked along  NATACO junction in Lokoja the Kogi state capital when truck drivers in their hundreds used their vehicles to cause gridlock over what they described as  exorbitant and double  taxation in the hands of the revenue collectors in the state.
The road which served as one of the major road between the north and south was blocked for over eight hours by the truck drivers as many vehicles traveling along the road were forced to stop because of the protest as the drivers blocked the road at both side with their trucks.

One of the travelers who identified himself as Tunde Adebayo said they were shocked with the situation because the blockage prevented over 500 vehicles from traveling along the route.
According to him “I left Abuja as early as 7:0am today with the hope that I will reach Ibadan on time, but I met this ugly situation that has stopped me for almost five hours now.
While calling on the appropriate authority in the state to wade into the matter, Adebayo said the travellers should not be made to suffer for an issue that does not concern them.
Also speaking one  of the truck drivers Mallam  Inusa  Bakori Yusuf  alleged that in the past  they were made to pay N2,000 ,  but  suddenly jumped to N5,000 naira and now  increased to 10, 000 naira by the Board of Internal Revenue without any notice stressing that the exorbitant taxation was on called for and they cannot take any longer.

He noted that at this critical period they cannot afford the money, calling on the Kogi State government to revert it decision with immediate effect for peace to rain on the highways.
However, the Kogi state Commissioner of Police, Abdullahi Chafe who visited the scene held talks with some of the truck drivers as he appeal to them to make way for motorist to pass.
Chafe, while speaking with newsmen, said they have meet with the leadership of the truck driver union, assuring that all stakeholders will  be meeting on Wednesday this week to find lasting solution to the issue
The Police Commissioner  appealed to the truck drivers not take law into their hands , stressing that the issue can be solve without blockage of the road.

Also speaking with newsmen, the head of the Federal Road Safety Commission in Kogi State, Mr. Abayomi Omiyale, said they are in control of the situation, assuring in few hours  there will be free movement of vehicles across the road.
Meanwhile, effort to speak with the Chairman of the Board of Internal Revenue, Mr. Yakubu Oseni not successful as he was said to be in a meeting as at the time of filling this report.