TOAN Boss Endorses Digital Revenue Collection, Urges Gov’t To Provide Park For Keke Operators

By polycarp Ifeanyi

Following the recent banning of all revenue collections in the Anambra State by the  State Government in order to curb the activities of touting and Agboros on the roads, the Chairman of Keke Union Anambra State under the aegis of Tricycle Owners Association of Nigeria ( TOAN), Hon. Obiora Syvester has endorsed digital means of collecting Government Internally Generated Revenue ( IGR).

Hon. Obiora who made the disclosure to newsmen in Onitsha, Anambra State pointed out that if Government could adopt and maintain such system, it will be everlasting way to nip touts and Agboros in the state, boost government treasury, increase Gross Domestic Product (GDP)  of the state, streamlines the socio-economic activities of the state and reduces criminalities.

He also urged government to unify all payments both Keke and Buses in order to circumvent multiple payments and avoiding activities of some group who might rise again claiming that they got authority paper from government for collecting revenue.

He passionately appealed to State government while  they plan payments for Keke Operators, let them as well plan how to provide park for Keke riders, contending that Keke as the last transport system, do not have specific park like Buses.

He further explained that the portions where Keke Operators uses as park are own by individuals which he said they pay daily based on how they agreed with the owner, commending the  efforts of the  State Governor,  Professor Charles Soludo in eradicating touts, pledging that his Union will continue to support him both in combating touts and his administration.

The Chairman disclosed that immediately government banned collection of Internally Generated Revenue ( IGR) he called meeting and told all their workers to stop working for their Union  so that they would be differentiated from touts and Agboro, regretting that he still gets calls that some people are still collecting money on the roads at People’s Club Owerri Road, Ochanja and Nkpor but they will stop those people from collecting money from their members.