Enugu state government has banned collection of all forms of levies and tolls on highways and roads within the state.
In a media release signed by the secretary to the state government, Prof. Chidiebere Onyia, the state government “views with utmost displeasure the activities of those who constitute nuisance on our roads and deploy all manner of crude tactics to extort monies from vehicles transporting goods, farm produce and livestock in our state, in the name of collection of levies and tolls on behalf of government”.
The state government opined that” such anti-business activities of syndicates operating on our highways and roads are contrary to the current government’s determination to dismantle obstacles to the ease of doing business in the state”.
The statement indicated that the current administration of Governor Peter Mbah would not compromise its commitment to expanding the “Enugu economy sevenfold by promoting economic activities, enabling private sector investments, offering incentives to boost the productive sectors such as agricultural and agro-allied activities in the state.
“Those willing to engage in lawful economic and business activities in our state shall be encouraged to do so as they are beneficial to the state”.
The statement disclosed that government was taking steps to eliminate multiple and illegal taxation in the state by discouraging collection of taxes and revenues in cash, as well as manual issuance of receipts and paper tickets.
“Government is convinced that tax and revenue collection must be convenient and friendly via technology while addressing leakages”, the release added.
The state government warned perpetrators of the illegal economic activities to quit all highways and roads in the state, with immediate effect