The government of Kogi State has made an announcement prohibiting trade unions from collecting daily revenue across all 21 local government areas. The decision was disclosed by Governor Usman Ododo, represented by the Commissioner for Information, Kingsley Fanwo, during a stakeholders meeting. The government aims to provide support to individuals and groups that contribute to the state’s development.
The Infrastructure Maintenance Levy (IML) was introduced in 2017 under the Kogi State Revenue Harmonisation Law. It involves a small daily contribution from commercial vehicles to maintain and enhance the state’s infrastructure for economic growth. However, some union leaders have been diverting funds by collecting illegal membership dues instead of remitting them as required, causing a loss of revenue for both members and the government.
In response, the government has banned the collection of daily revenue by unions in all local government areas. Security agencies have been tasked with enforcing this ban to maintain public order. The government stressed the importance of fair union dues agreed upon by members and collected according to the specified intervals in their by-laws.
Furthermore, Kogi State’s Security Adviser, Commodore Jerry Omodara (retd.), assured stakeholders that the policy would be strictly enforced. He also reiterated the existing ban on commercial tricycles and motorcycles from highways to prevent road accidents.