A Yoruba group, Ọmọ Eko Pataki has criticized the new levy of N800 on all transporters by the Lagos state government, saying it’s cruel, ill-advised and outrageous.
Major General Tajudeen Olanrewaju (rtd), Trustee of Ọmọ Eko Pataki,who conveyed the group’s displeasure in a statement,said it is thoughtless to impose more burden on the citizens of Lagos when many Nigerians can hardly afford three square meal a day on account of general economic hardship in the country.
He said the transporters would transfer the heavy toll to commuters which in turn would cause a multiple spiral effect on cost of foodstuffs and general goods.
He said: “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 Sanwo-Olu government is indifferent to the welfare of the 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”
He advised that people oriented project should be the purpose of governance rather than the exploitative policy like the obnoxious and condemnable 800 naira transportation levy.
He added:”Our government should be humane and selfless. It should not be seen as purely driven by narrow economic advantages. 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”
