Lagos State governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress, Obafemi Hamzat, has pledged to end unauthorised roadside collections and multiple taxation affecting motorists, transport operators and businesses across the state if elected governor in 2027.
Hamzat, who is also the incumbent Deputy Governor, made the pledge during a governorship candidates’ town hall meeting in Lagos on Thursday, where he addressed concerns over arbitrary levies and collections by road transport agents commonly referred to as “agbero.”
He said commercial transport operators, including danfo drivers, should have clear and predictable financial obligations rather than being subjected to repeated collections at different points along their routes.
According to Hamzat, his proposed administration would establish a State Economic Council to coordinate revenue policies with local government authorities and reduce overlapping charges.
“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,” he said.
He acknowledged that local governments have constitutional independence but argued that greater coordination was necessary because the different levels of government serve the same residents and businesses.
Hamzat said the proposed arrangement would help eliminate ad hoc collections at road junctions, stressing that no individual should be allowed to collect money from motorists or businesses without proper authorisation.
“Nobody should stand at junctions collecting anything from anybody,” he said.
The APC candidate also said businesses should know exactly what they are required to pay in taxes and levies. Once the approved charges have been paid, he said, operators should not face further unauthorised demands.
“The moment they pay it, they must be left alone so we stop pulling the rug from under them,” Hamzat added.
He said the proposed measures were aimed at creating a more predictable business environment and reducing the financial pressure caused by multiple collections.
Hamzat’s comments come amid longstanding concerns over informal roadside levies and the activities of transport collectors in Lagos. The issue has featured in discussions around the state’s transport system and efforts to improve the operating environment for commercial transporters.
The governorship candidate also linked an improved business environment to better transportation, saying reducing travel time for residents would make it easier for businesses to operate, survive and grow.
He further spoke about support for small and medium-sized businesses through training and capacity-building initiatives, noting that some business owners face challenges arising from limited knowledge of bookkeeping and staff management.
