Revenue agency counters NLC, says Kogi Govt. Not collecting check-off dues of transport unions
The Revenue Agent saddled with the collection of revenue in the transport sector of the economy in Kogi State, The A’S Consulting, has faulted the claim of the Kogi State Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress, (NLC), that the state government has assumed the role of collecting check of dues on behalf of the union.
In a statement by the team lead of the organization, Adebayo Daramola, noted that what the state government has done was to stop the daily collection of illegal revenue by the various transport unions in the state, and has no business with their check-off dues which is their statutory responsibility.
Recall that the NLC chairman, Comrade Amari Gabriel, while welcoming the NLC president Comrade Joe Ajero on Tuesday had alleged interference by agents of the State Government, alleging that the Revenue Agent has embarked on collection of Check-off dues on behalf of the transport union.
But in a swift reaction, the team lead of The A’S Consulting, Adebayo Daramola said this allegation is unfortunate and unfounded, because there is nothing like that.
“Government position on this issue was clear From the beginning and was complied with by our organization, The A’S Consulting.
For the avoidance of doubt on the 30th of January, 2024, Kogi state Governor, Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo banned all illegal collection of daily revenue by transport unions, (NURTW, Okada Riders Association and Keke operators ) in all the 21 Local Government Areas of the state with immediate effect, to avoid multiple payments.
He explained that “In 2017, the Kogi State Revenue Harmonization Law introduced the Infrastructure Maintenance Levy (IML), a small daily contribution by commercial vehicles plying Kogi roads.
“This levy was established to maintain and improve the state’s infrastructure, which is vital for economic growth. Unfortunately, the implementation of this law has been undermined by some union leaders who prioritize personal gain over the interests of their members and the state.
“Instead of remitting these funds as stipulated, they have resorted to collecting illegal membership dues, depriving both their members and the government the much needed revenue for the development of Infrastructure and provide welfare services to the people.
He added that the decision was taking after due consultations with relevant stakeholders, including the Unions, and wondered why the NLC chairman is claiming ignorance and choose to misinform the public.
According to him, representatives of the transport unions, Yahaya Ibrahim (NURTW) and Ovoro Abdullahi Ovurevu, Motocycle operators in their separate response had promised to educate their members on the new development and urged the NLC chairman to seek clarifications from the appropriate quaters, instead of playing to the galary.
Speaking further, Mr Adebayo Daramola said “Cant we take cue from Edo, Ekiti, Ondo, Enugu and Anambra where revenue from Infrastructure Maintenance Levy were in Billions to the coffers of these state governments for the development of their states.
” For instance, in 2020 our revenue from IML stood at a paltry sum of 1.7m, while in 2021, we got 3.6m, in 2022 we realized 18.4m, 2023 we got 32.7m, while 2024 it came down again to 28m. Meanwhile, Ondo state has been consistently generating over a Billion in the last 4 years running.
We therefore advise the NLC chairman to toe the path of caution and desist from spreading false narratives, which will not bring Development to the state.
