Ogun Assembly considers cutting down revenue agents in transport sector to three
Bankole Taiwo, Abeokuta
Ogun State House of Assembly has passed a resolution proposing to the State Government to limit the number of Revenue Generating Agents/Organisations in the Transport Industry to maximum of three (3) per sector to streamline the collection process and avoid leakages of government revenue.
The Assembly’s resolution came shortly after members’ submissions on the need to curb revenue leakages and guard against anything act that could cause breach of peace in the State.
Consequently, the Majority Leader, Yusuf Sherif moved the motion for the passage of the resolution, seconded by Ganiyu Oyedeji at a plenary presided over by the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Olakunle Oluomo at the Assembly Complex, Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta.
Earlier while contributing to debates leading to the passage of the resolution, members including the Chairman, House Committee on Transportation, Oludaisi Elemide, his Vice, Abayomi Fasuwa and Kemi Oduwole explained that the pruning down of the revenue agents in the transport sector was meant to instill sanity in the sector, with a view to ensuring a more reformed ticketing system.
They noted that the reduction in the number of the revenue agent would curb the old practice, which often led to loss of revenue to the government or creating unnecessary rancour amongst the multiple agents engaged.
Other lawmakers including the Chief Whip, Atinuke Bello and Oyedeji, who cited cases of sharp practices reported by Government revenue agencies against some independent revenue agents, submitted that designated agents should be empowered to ensure holistic revenue management.
Expressing concern on the proliferation of transport associations in the State, the lawmakers implored the State Government not to approve more than three Agents for each sector (Motorbike, Tricycle, Taxis and Minibus etc) in the transport sector of the State with accreditation by the State Ministry of Transportation in line with the its regulations to promote efficiency and effectiveness.
In another development, the 2022 Supplementary Appropriation Bill forwarded to the Assembly by Governor Dapo Abiodun has scaled first reading as the Clerk and Head of Legislative Service, Mr. ‘Deji Adeyemo did the first reading before the State lawmakers.
The first reading followed the acknowledgement of the Governor’s correspondence dated 25th April, 2022 conveying the supplementary bill consisting of the summary of supplementary estimated of the State’s revenue and expenditure for the consideration of the legislative arm in line with Section 121 of the Constitution (as amended).
“This supplementary budget is in view of certain exigencies of government, to re-invigorate funding of some key projects especially in the infrastructure sector which require urgent attention to sustain the gains made so far,” the letter partly reads.
