The Union of Tippers and Query Employers of Nigeria, Edo State chapter has raised alarm over illegal revenue collectors, extortion and harassment of its members in Delta State.
It was gathered that the illegal revenue collectors who mounted the Federal highway at Alifekede spot, in Ika south local government area of the State, on daily basis were not only allegedly extorting money but brutalizing truck drivers.
The Chairman of the Union, Mr Wilson Ogbachi who disclosed this on Thursday in Asaba, the State capital, called on governor Sheriff Oboreveori to call the people to order.
He said, “We are crying to the governor and other authorities to come to our aid and rescue us from the daily extortion and harassment of our members who convey granite along Federal highway from Edo to Delta State.
“These illegal collectors are being hired by the Ika south local government Chairman to collect revenue from trucks conveying granite/stones from query site in Edo to Delta.
“They mount checkpoint along the Benin-Aeaba highway, at Alifekede, Agbor, Delta State and stopped tippers conveying granite, armed with nail-woods and other dangerous weapons used to compel truck drivers to pay road passage fee that is approved by any revenue law.
“They collect money from us and issue us two receipts; one with the Delta State Board of Internal Revenue Service while the other receipt bears directorate of transport. Sometimes, they use their wood to scatter our classes and beat drivers”, he alleged.
The union alleged that the Council Chairman of Ika South LGA and the Chairman of Delta State revenue taskforce, Mr Malachi were purportedly responsible for the illegal collection, giving false receipt
Efforts made to reach the Chairman of Ika South, Mr Jerry Ehiwario and the Chairman Delta state revenue taskforce, Mr Malachi failed as calls and messages sent to them were not responded to as st the time of filing this report.
But when contacted, the Executive Director (Operation), Delta State Board Internal Revenue, Mr Frank Nwagu, said that the revenue collectors at the Anifekede spot are operating illegally and should be arrested.
“We did not send them, and we are not aware of the receipt, they are operating illegally and should be arrested”, he said.
