Hamzat Vows to End Road Extortion by ‘Agbero,’ Streamline Taxes in Lagos

Lagos State Deputy Governor and All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate, Dr Obafemi Hamzat, has pledged to eliminate unauthorised roadside collections and multiple taxation schemes imposed on road operators and businesses if elected.

Hamzat made the commitment during a governorship candidates’ town hall meeting in Lagos on Thursday.

Responding to concerns about arbitrary fee collections, he said commercial operators, popularly known as Danfo drivers, deserve clear and predictable financial obligations instead of facing continuous demands from road transport agents, commonly called “agbero,” along transit routes.

To address the overlap between state and local government charges, Hamzat proposed the establishment of a State Economic Council.

The body would coordinate revenue policies with local council leadership to harmonise levies and end ad-hoc collections at junctions.

“One of the things we will create is a State Economic Council where, as a government, we meet with all local governments to streamline the process. We know they are independent, but we are attending to the same citizens. No one should stand at junctions collecting anything from anybody,” he said.

Hamzat stressed that once commercial operators and business owners pay their designated official fees, they should be free from further roadside interference.

“Businesses must know what they are required to pay. The moment they pay it, they must be left alone so we stop pulling the rug from under them,” he added.

The APC candidate said the measure would create a more predictable environment for entrepreneurs and prevent multiple or unauthorised charges while doing business in the state.

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