As a response to regular requests of the bodies of organised private sector, including the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), the Nigeria Chambers of Commerce, Industries, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA), among others, Ogun State government has harmonised tolls and levies payable by trucks, trailers and heavy duty vehicles that transport raw materials and finished goods within and outside the state.
It harmonises various tolls and levies which manufacturers and transporters operating in the state, pay to different government ministries which include Ministries of Commerce and Industry, Environment, Forestry and Agriculture on produce, logs and timbers, raw materials, finished goods and industrial wastes.
As a result of the harmonisation, state government now approves and issues customised stickers to manufacturers and transporters to fight against multiple toll collection points and curb illegal and indiscriminate activities of touts who swindle manufacturers and transporters in the name of toll collection and other levies, thereby stimulating the economy.
Speaking on the development, Adewale Oshinowo, commissioner for Finance, declared that proper documentation and easy payment process must be done for both corporate bodies and individuals to save huge funds wasted to multiple toll collection and taxation as government has created a one-stop shop for all fees and charges by Ministries, Departments and Agencies.
Oshinowo explained that cumbersome nature of the existing payment methods where payers would pay each Ministry separately at numerous toll points was unconventional and not helping business to thrive, saying the new toll regime will have designated points across the 57 Local Governments (LGs) and Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs) of the state.
RAZAQ AYINLA, Abeokuta
