BENINCITY- Edo state government has commenced discussions with unions in the transport sector, specifically amongst opetators of trycycles ( keke) and motor bikes(Okada) in a bid to harmonize them into one entity for ease of management and collection of levies, dues and taxes across the state.
The state deputy governor, Rt Hon Comrade Philip Shaibu disclosed this weekend at a meeting with representatives of the various unions in the transport sub sector with the state chairman and secretary of the Trade Union Congress (TUC) in attendance.
Comrade Shaibu told them that the harmonized law on taxes, rates and levies in the state is aimed at putting in place a civilized and humane way of revenue collection and reduce the tax burden on the people who have always complained about double taxation and harassment by union members.
He urged the unions to work with government in reaching a common ground with a memorandum of Understanding to establish and strengthen one legitimate transport union in the sub sector across the state.
According to the Deputy Governor, ,” if you are properly organized, you could attract investment from the private sector which will also help in the development of the state”. He said the over seven different unions in the sub sector was unacceptable to government, adding that it was “unweildy and not healthy for the smooth and well coordinated approach of revenue collection as envisaged by government.”
In attendance at the meeting were the Deputy Chief of Staff, Government House, Hon Kingsley Ehigiamusur the commissioners for Local Government and Community Affairs, Hon Jimoh Igiegbai and his countetpart in Infrastructure. No agreement was reached at the meeting as to the union to fussed into because of the absence of one of the critical union in the sub sector. The meeting adjourned to reconvene Monday, October 30, 2017, same venue.
