By Ma’aji Dandaura

The Nasarawa State House of Assembly has directed the Directors of Personnel Management (DPMs) of three local councils in the state to appear before it for the offence of illegal collection of toll along Lafia – Makurdi road.

The affected councils are Akwanga and Lafia local government areas and Giza Development Area.

The action taken by the House was sequel to a motion raised by Honourable Mohammed Ogoshi Onawo, member representing Doma North constituency under matters of public interest.

Honourable Onawo observed that there were several illegal toll collection points along the road linking Nasarawa and Benue states manned by the officials of the three local councils who used to extort money from drivers of commercial vehicles on the orders of the local councils.

He expressed his dismay at the very exorbitant toll rates being charged commercial motorists by the councils, saying the local councils should take advantage of the road to attract development to their areas rather than exploit people in the name of revenue collection.

While contributing to the motion, the member representing Obi 1 constituency, Honourable Mohammed Sidi Bako, said though the local governments were entitled to collect revenue, they were not empowered by the law to collect revenue on the use of the federal highways by motorists.

Also contributing to the debate, Honourable Adamu Mu’azu Adogi, representing Lafia North constituency, suggested that decisive measures should be taken to put an end to the activities of the illegal revenue collectors on the highway, alleging that the money being collected was not remitted into government coffers.

The acting speaker, Honourable Elisha Jatau Agwadu, who expressed his satisfaction with the deliberations of the honourable members on the motion, directed the acting clerk of the House, Mr. Maikeffi B., to formerly write to the respective DPMs of the affected local government areas to appear before the House to explain the reasons behind their actions.