The Enugu State government has introduced an e-ticket scheme to curb the excesses of touts masquerading as government levy collectors. This was revealed by the Head of Media to the state governor, Dan Nwomeh.
Called the Enugu State Unified e-Ticket Scheme, the system will become fully operational by August 11. According to Mr Nwomeh, the purpose of the scheme is to make tax and levy payments easier and more convenient for transporters. He also noted that the system will help eliminate multiple taxation and harassment by touts across the state.
“The electronic ticket scheme makes it easy and convenient for payment of taxes such as road taxes, tickets from tricycles, tippers, emblems and passenger manifest, while eliminating harassment and loss of revenues.”
Dan Nwomeh
He also said that with the introduction of e-ticketing in the state, all forms of paper tickets have been banned from August 11 when the e-ticketing scheme is expected to kick off. He further enjoined transporters to purchase their tickets through approved e-ticketing agents across the state.
Technext further spoke with Darlington Mbah one of the administrators of the project who revealed that the e-tickets could also be obtained online. He said the online channels and portals will be revealed on Friday 11 when the system eventually goes live.
He also told Technext that there will also be USSD options for those who aren’t very versed in digital skills to access digital platforms. This is quite necessary given that the state’s hilly terrain could sometimes be a hindrance to a good internet network.
Eliminating touting in Enugu through e-tickets
While the state government listed the major reasons for the e-ticket scheme to include ease and convenience, eliminating wastage and curbing harassment by touts, most people would be more worried about the harassment and elimination of touting from the system.
Touting has been a system of tax collection employed by governments, especially at the local government level. The levies collected by these touts are on behalf of the local government. They also collect them on behalf of themselves as much of their largesse is not returned to the government coffers.
To make matters worse, these unofficial tax collectors often employ harassment and assault when collecting these levies. This has made them the worst enemies of the people they are supposed to serve. Indeed, citizens are already trying to understand how this state government policy would be executed at the local government level.
But it seems with this latest development, the state government is introducing a single unified system for all levies to be collected by the government. Indeed the Head of Media to the governor confirmed so in a response to an enquiry.
The Secretary to the Enugu State government, Prof. Chidiebere Onyia further buttressed this, stating that the government is convinced that tax and revenue collection must be convenient and friendly via technology while addressing leakages. He also warned that touts and miscreants caught extorting transporters will be dealt with.
“Henceforth, anyone caught in the illegal act shall be prosecuted and please be guided accordingly,” Professor Onyia said.
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