Anambra residents decry multiple transport levies

Anambra State residents have blamed the multiple levies being collected from commercial drivers by transport unions on behalf of the state government for the high transport costs hurting them.

Those, who spoke to The Guardian in separate interviews, said the state government and transport operators would benefit more if the Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria (RTEAN) is allowed to operate in the state.

However, the state Chairman of the RTEAN, Kingsley Mmaduagwuna, said yesterday the union was ready for the challenge.

Mmaduagwuna said the union operates in the interest of the state government and the public.

He said, “The RTEAN is the economic promoter of any state and we have a network that is effective. We coordinate our activities.
We have just one ticket and it covers you anywhere in the state throughout the day.

“We don’t just make money for government, we protect the operators from extortion. Drivers in Anambra are experiencing difficulties and they are waiting for us to come to their rescue.”

Mmaduagwuna expressed concern that some people benefiting from the inefficiency of the park management system were suppressing the union despite having government approval to operate.

The immediate past Commissioner for Transport in the state, Christian Madubuko, said government still suffers huge leakages in revenue collection.
According to him, some henchmen are behind those denying government of revenue.

A leader of the All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA), Chief Rommy Ezeonwuka, stressed the need to sanitise public transport management in Anambra.

Efforts to get reaction from the Commissioner of Transport, Afam Mbanefo, were not successful.

The Guardian learnt that not less than 10 transport unions are selling tickets, but only a few are registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission.