Obiano Bans Revenue Officials On Roads After Collectors Induced Driver’s Death In Onitsha

Following the death of one Michael Chimezie Okorie, a truck driver from Oduma in Aninri Local Government Area of Enugu State, who died Sunday while evading revenue collectors in Anambra, the state government, Tuesday, banned all forms of levy collections on roads across the state.

THE WHISTLER reported that the accident occurred along Asaba-Onitsha expressway by Coca-Cola market, Onitsha, at about 4am, and involved a Mercedes Benz 911 lorry with registration number ACA-178-XA, loaded with timber.

The Anambra State police PRO, SP Haruna Mohammed, said the accident occurred when the truck driver, who was allegedly being pursued by suspected revenue collectors stationed at the head bridge, Onitsha, suddenly lost control and crashed into the concrete barricade near Coca-Cola market.

According to the state’s commissioner for information and public enlightenment, C. Don Adinuba, the state government received reports of the growing menace of gangs of people pretending to be revenue agents of the state government demanding and collecting money on the roads, especially in Onitsha, Obosi, Nnwewi, Amasea, Ogidi, and Nkpor.

He said, “Their illegal, violent and brazen activities have resulted in serious security breaches and harassment of law-abiding citizens. None of the revenues so collected has ever been paid to the government or any of its agencies. Consequently, the state government has decided to ban all forms of road revenue collection. No person should pay to anyone on the road claiming to be a state revenue agent or official.

“People should resist such intimidation and extortion! In fact, any person who purports to be a revenue officer or agent, and demands payment on any of the roads in the state should be reported immediately to the nearest law enforcement officer. All law enforcement agencies in the state, including the Anambra Vigilante Group (AVG), are directed to ensure the strict implementation of the decision on the ban on revenue collection on all the roads in the state. All market and transport union leaders are directed to take this order very seriously, and work in collaboration with government officials to provide security, joy and happiness to our people.”

Adinuba reiterated that the state would remain law-abiding, adding that, “The Obiano administration will not brook any attempt by gangs of lawless and self-serving elements to make life miserable for Ndi Anambra, especially in this Christmas season.”