•Set to establish task force to ensure strict compliance
By ojotule Romanus
Apparently disturbed over the deteriorating condition of Zango, Zone 8 roads, Kogi State Governor, Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo, has banned trucks and trailers from plying the route.
The measure is part of efforts tailored towards protecting major public infrastructure in the state capital.
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In line with this, the State Government has equally warned that it will henceforth ensure that any heavy duty truck caught on the road would be made to face the full wrath of the law.
This is even as he has directed the Kogi State Internal Revenue Service (KGIRS), to commence strict enforcement of tax compliance against road violators, particularly mining companies whose heavy-duty trucks have abandoned their designated route.
Governor Ododo who gave the directive on Friday during an inspection of the deteriorating state of road along the Zone 8, Zango axis of Lokoja, blamed the damage to the road on the activities of miners who in an attempt to evade the Kogi State Tax Force at the toll gate, have created an alternative route.
While expressing concern over the extent of damage caused by these trucks, Ododo maintained that the State Government would no longer tolerate the activities of miners who evade taxes and toll payments while using public infrastructure financed with taxpayers’ money.
He noted that many of the heavy trucks deliberately avoid designated toll points, opting for alternative routes, a situation he stressed has now caused severe damaged on the road due to volume of vehicular traffic.
According to him, the directive to KGIRS is aimed at ensuring that operators in the mining sector comply with tax obligations while protecting public infrastructure from further destruction.
In his words, ” We are here to see how best we can address the issues on ground. This road was designed for small vehicles, unfortunately, miners trying to evade tax collection points have diverted their heavy duty trucks to this route, causing massive damages on the road”.
” I call on the Kogi State Internal Revenue Service to enforce tax collection on these miners. We can not continue to construct roads only for them to be destroyed by people trying to evade tax.
” From now on, any heavy truck found on this road will be dealt with. This is not their designated route, and we will not take it anymore “, the governor further warned.
The governor stressed that roads built with public funds must be safeguarded for the benefit of all residents, warning that anyone found violating tax laws or regulations governing the movement of heavy trucks would face appropriate sanctions.
Ododo further directed that all illegal access points used by the trucks be baricated ; just as he desclosed plans to establish a special tax force that would ensure strict compliance with the restrictions.
Speaking during the inspection, the Project Manager of China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC), Mr. Sun Yi Shi, disclosed that the road, which was constructed less than two years ago, has already developed extensive potholes and failed sections because of persistent use by heavy mining trucks.
He explained that the road was primarily designed to accommodate light and medium-weight vehicles and not the continuous movement of overloaded trucks transporting solid minerals.
Mr. Shi said that CCECC had resolved to erect barricades along the affected section to restrict the passage of heavy-duty trucks, noting that the measure would help preserve the road and enable it to attain its intended lifespan.
