Ogun State House of Assembly has approved a harmonised ticketing system for truck drivers engaged in haulage across the state following allegations of extortion, criminal intimidation, multiple taxations and other illegal activities by toll collectors at quarries.

The Assembly also warned unauthorised agents issuing illegal tickets at quarry sites to stop the practice immediately.

It directed the deployment of a task force to quarries across the state to enforce compliance with the directive.

Under the arrangement, truck drivers transporting sand, gravel, granite and other quarry materials are to purchase only tickets issued by the state’s Ministry of Finance, the Ogun State Internal Revenue Service and recognised associations or unions.

The decision followed a meeting convened by the Assembly’s joint committees on Industry, Trade and Investment, and Transportation, chaired by Oluseun Adesanya and Wasiu Ayodele, respectively.

The meeting was prompted by a petition submitted by the Union of Tipper Suppliers and Quarry Employers of Nigeria to the Assembly at Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta.

In the petition, the union raised concerns over alleged extortion, criminal intimidation, forceful issuance of unauthorised tickets, multiple taxations and the unlawful seizure of trucks by toll collectors.

Following deliberations, the committees directed that all fees collected outside those approved by the relevant government agencies and recognised associations be stopped immediately.

The committees said a thorough investigation would be conducted to establish the legality of the various tickets and charges imposed on truck drivers operating at quarry sites across the state.

As part of the investigation, the Assembly invited the permanent secretaries of the Ministries of Industry, Trade and Investment; Transportation and Environment, alongside a senior director from the Ministry of Finance, to appear before it on October 20.

The officials are expected to provide explanations on the ticketing arrangements and the legal basis for the charges collected from truck drivers at quarries.

The Assembly’s intervention aimed at addressing the complaints raised by haulage operators and establishing a transparent ticketing system that prevents unauthorised collections and protects drivers from multiple charges.