Extortion: Okpebholo Bans NURTW, RETEAN, ANNEWAT, Drivers On Wheel, Atalakpa

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By Reporter

For the umpteenth time, Edo State Government has banned various unions and organizations from collecting revenue and union dues from traders, drivers and other persons who hitherto were subjected to pay all forms of levies and in the process suffered extortion.

This latest decision is contained in a press statement signed by Mr. Umar Musa Ikhilor, Secretary to the State Government.

The statement reads: “Edo State Government, under the leadership of His Excellency, Senator Monday Okpebholo, has observed with grave concern the alarming resurgence of illegal revenue collection by certain unions and organizations under various guises across the State.

“It has become clear that some of these groups, previously given limited authorization to collaborate with the Edo State Internal Revenue Service (EIRS) under clearly defined terms, have grossly violated the conditions of their engagement and resorted to cash collections, extortions, social harassment and intimidation.”

The statement specifically named some unions that have become clog in the revenue generation process, such as RETEAN, NURTW, Drivers on Wheel and Atalakpa enforcers.

“Specifically, the activities of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria (RTEAN), ANNEWAT, and Drivers on Wheel, are hereby banned with immediate effect. These unions are not authorized to collect any form of dues, levies, taxes, or charges from motorists, drivers, traders, or any member of the public in Edo State.

“This ban also extends to Atalakpa Recovery Concept Ltd, a private consultant earlier engaged to enforce compliance. Credible reports reaching the people-loving Governor, indicate that the firm and its workers have become complicit in widespread extortion and abuse of mandate, thereby betraying the trust reposed in them by the State.

“The Government considers these actions as acts of economic sabotage, social oppression, and a direct affront to law and order. The era of using unions as fronts to harass, intimidate, or extort drivers and road users in the name of revenue collection is over.

“All activities of the aforementioned unions are suspended indefinitely.”

Okpebholo warned that “…henceforth, no individual or group under any of these unions is permitted to collect any form of payment from motorists or road users.”

It added that “…all motorists, drivers, and road users are strongly advised not to pay any cash or comply with any form of illegal levy imposed by these banned entities; while calling on the public to reports any such illegal activity should be forwarded immediately to the Edo State Special Taskforce, coordinated by SP Michael Anetor via 08038157126.”

Okpebholo reiterated that the Commissioner of Police and all relevant security agencies have been duly notified and directed to arrest and prosecute any individual or group found violating this directive.”G