RIRS rescues commercial drivers from multiple taxations at loading points

Kelechi Kas

Multiple taxations faced by commercial drivers at different loading points in Rivers State is set to end as the Rivers State Internal Revenue Services, RIRS commences the implementation of commercial daily ticketing for commercial vehicles.

The ticketing was initially controlled by thugs who do not remit the money generated to the government.

The Wike led administration rejigged its tax collection mechanism in the face dwindling oil revenue and multiple debts, with a significant part of its annual budget expected to be funded by increased IGR collection.

The daily ticketing commenced on Monday 21st October 2019 but is yet to spread across the state, drivers who expressed happiness over the development said on Tuesday.

The development was communicated to the Transport Union Representatives in a meeting held with The Executive Chairman RIRS, Adoage Norteh.

RIRS said the daily ticketing is expected to curb the irregularities occurring at the motor parks and also to ease the burdens of multiple ticketing on drivers at the parks.

The multiple ticketing, theportcitynews gathered, has forced both government’s income and that of the commercial drivers to dwindle as most of the millions collected daily from the drivers by thugs at different loading points end up in the pockets of unknown influential persons in the areas.

Drivers say they pay at least 1500 each to thugs controlling the loading points daily and those who refused to pay are harassed and intimidated with violence.

They urged the government to fasten the implementation of the daily ticketing as it would ensure the money realised goes into the coffers of the government which would be used to better the society.