…Summons Ministries’ Permanent Secretaries, Finance Director Over Alleged Extortion, Double Taxation
ABEOKUTA, OGUN STATE — The Ogun State House of Assembly has directed truck drivers and operators in the haulage business to purchase only approved harmonised tickets issued by the Ministry of Finance, the Ogun State Internal Revenue Service and recognised associations or unions, pending the conclusion of an investigation into alleged extortion and other illegal activities at quarries across the state.
The directive is part of efforts by the Assembly to address allegations of criminal intimidation, multiple taxation, forceful issuance of unauthorised tickets and unlawful seizure of trucks by toll collectors operating at quarry sites.
The Assembly also ordered the immediate suspension of all other fees outside those approved by the relevant government agencies and recognised associations, warning individuals and groups involved in illegal ticketing to desist from the practice.
The resolutions were reached during a meeting of the Assembly's joint committees on Industry, Trade and Investments, and Transportation, held at the Assembly Complex, Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta.
The committees were chaired by Hon. Oluseun Adesanya and Hon. Wasiu Ayodele, respectively, following a petition submitted by the Union of Tipper Suppliers and Quarry Employers of Nigeria (UTSQEN).
In its petition, the union raised concerns over what it described as widespread extortion, criminal intimidation, the forceful issuance of illegal tickets, double taxation and the unlawful seizure of trucks by toll collectors at quarry locations across Ogun State.
The union's complaints prompted the lawmakers to intervene, with a view to establishing the legality of the various tickets and levies being collected from operators in the haulage and quarry sectors.
Addressing the issues raised, the joint committee directed that truck drivers transporting sand, gravel, granite, stones and other quarry materials should comply only with the approved ticketing arrangements while the investigation continues.
The lawmakers stressed that any additional charges outside the recognised framework must stop immediately, pending the outcome of the Assembly's inquiry.
The committee further warned agents and individuals allegedly issuing unauthorised tickets at quarry sites to discontinue the practice, emphasising that the directive must be enforced across the state.
As part of the enforcement measures, the Assembly directed the deployment of task force personnel to quarries throughout Ogun State to ensure compliance and prevent further incidents of illegal collections and harassment of truck operators.
The proposed deployment is expected to strengthen monitoring at quarry sites and ensure that only legally authorised fees are collected from businesses and individuals operating within the sector.
In a move to deepen the investigation, the committee invited the Permanent Secretaries of the state Ministries of Industry, Trade and Investment, Transportation and Environment, alongside a senior director from the Ministry of Finance, to appear before the Assembly on Tuesday, October 20.
The officials are expected to provide explanations regarding the approval, administration and legality of the tickets being issued at quarries across the state.
Their appearance is expected to assist the lawmakers in determining the agencies and bodies authorised to collect the various fees, as well as whether the ticketing arrangements comply with existing government regulations.
The Assembly's intervention comes amid concerns raised by haulage operators over the financial and operational burdens associated with multiple levies, particularly where different collectors allegedly demand separate payments for the same activities.
For truck drivers and quarry operators, the outcome of the investigation could have significant implications for the cost of transporting construction materials, the smooth movement of trucks and the overall business environment in Ogun State.
The investigation is also expected to clarify the respective responsibilities of government ministries, revenue authorities and recognised trade associations in regulating ticketing and collections within the quarry and haulage industries.
The Assembly's directive is expected to remain in force while the invited officials provide the necessary clarifications and the lawmakers conclude their investigation.
The House has made clear that unauthorised ticketing and additional charges outside the approved framework should not continue during the period of the inquiry.
The October 20 meeting is expected to provide further insight into the legality of the disputed tickets and help the Assembly determine the appropriate measures to address the allegations and protect legitimate operators from unlawful demands.
The outcome of the investigation may also determine whether further regulatory or enforcement actions will be required to bring ticketing and revenue collection practices at quarries across Ogun State under a clear and uniform framework.
