The newly imposed levy of N800 daily on all transporters by the Lagos State Government is cruel, ill-advised and patently outrageous.
In a time of general economic hardship when many Nigerians can hardly afford three square meal a day, it is unconscionable to impose more burden on the hapless citizens of Nigeria’s commercial centre.
Transporters will naturally transfer this heavy toll to commuters which in turn will cause a multiple spiral effect on cost of foodstuffs and general goods.
The ultimate effect of this pure extortionist policy will vitiate the economic well being of the rich and poor. Nobody will be immune including those who are turning governance into an insentient money making machine.
This is unfair. This is unjust . This is unacceptable. The First Principle of governance is to protect and serve the interest of the electorate.
Unfortunately the Lagos state government has warped this principle. It is obvious to us now that the Sanwoolu government is indifferent to the welfare of our people . Its fixity is borne upon greedy , acquisitive orgy. This is not the vision of an enlightened power.
We at Ọmọ Eko Pataki reject this reactionary, covetous, selfish and thoughtless levy. It is needless. It is unnecessary. It is wrong. It is a fatuous anti people policy which is capable of triggering social unrest that none of us wants to happen.
We want peace and harmony in our dear state. With large unemployment among our youths, with dwindling economic purchasing power among the working population, adding this avaricious levy is tantamount to incitement of the populace.
The position of Ọmọ Eko Pataki is unequivocal and clear. The 800 naira levy is one tax too many . It should be scrapped forthwith.
Government should focus on other sources of raising its income by going back to the seemly abandoned metroline and the long proposed Fourth Mainland Bridge which is looking more like a pipe dream than a reality.
We, however, take cognizance of the two units of ten coaches each recently acquired by the state government. We hope it will achieve the ultimate goal of easing the transportation burden of our people.
We hope and pray that all the necessary parameters in the acquisition of the ‘Two New Train Sets’ will serve the purpose of meeting the expectations of our people . The experience with Enron Power generation plant did not meet the minimum standard of service before it disappeared.
People oriented project should be the purpose of governance rather than the narrow minded exploitative policy like the obnoxious and condemnable 800 naira transportation levy. Our government should be humane and selfless. It should not be seen as purely driven by narrow economic advantages.
*Major General Tajudeen Olanrewaju rtd
Trustee Ọmọ Eko Pataki
Former GOC Third Armoured Division, Jos
