Imo bans touting, illegal levies as commuters lament fare hike

The Imo State government has banned touting and illegal collection of fees by unauthorised persons.This was contained in a statement by the Secretary to the Government of Imo State, Chief Cosmas Iwu, directing that only authorised officials of the Imo State Internally Revenue Service (IIRS) are empowered to collect levies.

He said: “The government of Imo State has observed with great sadness and regret the resurgence of touting and illegal collection of levies by unauthorised persons, especially in Owerri and other major towns of the state.”

The state government said officials of the IIRS authorised to collect levies have been counselled to be civil as they undertake their duties. In another development, commuters in different parts of Owerri Municipal and environs trekked long distances to their destinations yesterday.

They were enraged that intra-city commercial vehicles suddenly increased fares between 50 and 100 per cent yesterday. The fare from Wetheral/MCC to Uratta Road was increased from N150 to between N300 and N400, while areas previously charged N100 were increased to N200.

Some drivers who spoke with The Guardian blamed the hike on the increased fuel pump price, which is now N950 per litre at fuel stations in the city. A commercial bus driver, Chukwudi Uzoka, said: “There is no way we can continue charging the old rate.

We were not able to repair our vehicles, feed our families, and take care of ourselves. Fuel is now N950 per litre. It is either they pay, or they trek. We are not the cause. The removal of fuel subsidies is the reason for the hike in prices of every commodity.”