"Save Us From Revenue Collectors, Multiple Taxation On Ogun Road - Ibarapa-Oke Ogun Crop Dealers Beg Abiodun

Transporters and Crop dealers in Ibarapa and Oke Ogun areas of Oyo State have appealed to Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State over the alleged extortion by the revenue collectors along Igboora-Abeokuta road in Ogun State.

The protesters under the agies of The Ilupeju Root and Fruit Crop Growers and Dealers Association of Nigeria, had accused the agents of the consultants engaged in collecting the revenue from the dealers and drivers conveying their fruits and crops along the road.

Accordimng to the protesting businessmen and businesswomen, the increase in the numbers of the checkpoint on the Ogun State segment of Abeokuta-Igboora road is becoming worrisome and disturing.

Chairman of the Igangan Chapter of the Association, Comrade Mose Olugbami Adewole, in a Save-Our-Soul Letter obtained by NEWSREPORTER, described the level of extortion as unbearable.

Adewole explained that the agents and the revenue collectors are now involving in multiple taxation, charging them of between N2,000 and N5,000 on each checkpoint, especially between Oyan Dam point to Rounder area of Abeokuta.

For instance, He said each of the two checkpoints at Rounder area usually forcefully demand the sum of N5,000 per vehicle, especially those that convey pepper and tomatoes.

“Our patience is currently running out, as our members are being subjected to inhumane treatment and extortions of high magnitude by the policemen from Ogun State on daily basis, demanding for arbitrary money ranging from N2,000 to N5,000 per vehicle.

“Imagine when our vehicles left for as far as Iwere-Ile, Iganna, and other community in Oke Ogun and Ibarapa, we do spend little or nothing on the road, as many policemen on the road do not always disturb us only to get to Ogun state along Abeokuta-Igboora and we are being extorted by the policemen.

“They extort us as if pepper and tomato are contraband items or maybe the government has banned them because there are no justifiable reasons for such cruel extortion by the revenue collectors.

“Some of them hide under the umbrella of the State and Local governments to charge such exorbitant charges at the detriments of we innocent traders who are facing harsh economy already”, Adewole concluded.

Adewole, however, called on the Federal Government and Ogun State Government to quickly intervene before the matter escalates and possibly lead to shortage of pepper supply in the market.

Other leaders of the Association who signed the letter include Igangan Secretary, Wosilat Olayemi, Adekunle Felicial, Tapa Leaders, Comrade Azeez Eyinade, Alhaja Afusat, Mr Johnson Adegbile, Igboora leaders include (Chief Azeez oladunjoye (Chairman), Mr Ganiu Balogun.