Abia Drivers Warn Govt Over High Levies

Commercial drivers in Abia State have given the state government a two-week ultimatum to review downward the monies paid as levies or a strike action.

The government in its quest to shore up its internally generated revenue had increased levies paid by commercial drivers by 150 per cent.

Mr. Nnamdi Balogu, the Chairman, Drivers Welfare Union, told newsmen during a protest march by members of affiliated bodies that drivers were opposed to the upward review of the levies.

The affiliated bodies included the Road Transport Employers  Association of Nigeria and the National Union of Road Transport Workers.

Balogu said that the ticket for buses and taxis hitherto sold at N50 now sells for N200 while that of pick-up vans which was N150 had now been increased to N500.

He urged the governor to prevail on the House of Assembly to redress what he called the imbalance in levies paid by the commercial drivers.

Balogu urged government to act fast to meet the drivers’ demands so as to save residents from the impending hardship that the strike would cause.