The Lagos State government imposed a daily consolidated informal transport levy of N800 on transporters in the state on Tuesday.
The levy is separate from the union dues collected by the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) and the Nigerian Road Transport Employers Association (NTEAN) (RTEAN).
Dr Rabiu Olowo, the Lagos State Finance Commissioner, revealed this at the agreement-signing ceremony by Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), local councils, and transport unions, saying that the consolidated levy collection will begin on February 1.
He stated that the harmonized levy became necessary to ensure that the state’s transportation sector is organized and fits into a 21st-century economy.
Olowo went on to say that the consolidated levy takes into account all aspects of a rational society.
According to him, the levy covers past dues to local councils across the state, as well as revenue for the Lagos Waste Management Authority (LASWA), Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency (LASEPA), Lagos State Inland Revenue Service (LIRS), and other MDAs.
He stated that the state government anticipates that once a transporter pays the 800 at one location, he or she will not pay at any other park or bus stop throughout the day.
He also stated that the government anticipates that union members will not collect levies from transporters because they are not required to pay at every bus stop or parking lot.
Olowo stated that the consolidated levy would reduce the multiplicity of levies collection, citing complaints from residents and transportation workers about the large levies unions frequently collect.
The commissioner also alluded to a report about the $150 billion that Lagos transport unions collect under the guise of collecting dues, claiming that the new development will eliminate multiple taxes.
