Oyo Assembly Moves to Curb Illegal Revenue Collection and Harassment of Commercial Drivers, Tricyclists, Motorcyclists*

The Oyo State House of Assembly has raised urgent concerns over the recurring cases of illegal revenue collection, multiple stickers, and harassment of commercial drivers, tricyclists, and motorcyclists across the state, vowing to take decisive steps to protect the rights and welfare of these critical operators in the transport sector.

The motion, titled “Need to Curb Illegal Revenue Collection, Multiple Stickers, and Harassment of Commercial Drivers, Tricyclists, and Motorcyclists in Oyo State”, was co-sponsored by Rt. Hon. Adebo Ogundoyin, Speaker of the House, alongside Hon. Rasak Mabaje (Ido), Hon. Sanjo Onaolapo (Ogbomoso South), Hon. Babajide Adebayo (Ibadan North II), and Hon. Akintunde Olajide (Lagelu).

The Motion was presented on Thursday during plenary presided over by the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Adebo Ogundoyin.

In moving the motion, the lawmakers highlighted the vital role played by commercial motorcyclists, tricycle operators, bus and taxi drivers in ensuring mobility, employment, and livelihood for thousands of Oyo State residents across both urban and rural communities.

They noted that operators are mandated to pay annual revenue stickers covering statutory state-imposed levies totaling N10,500, as well as a daily ticket of N300, which is meant to cover operational levies.

Despite compliance with these official requirements, commercial drivers reportedly continue to face illegal roadblocks, arbitrary collection of additional stickers, extortion, threats, and even physical harassment by individuals posing as government agents or park officials.

Unauthorised levies reportedly range from N2,500 to N5,000, often imposed without receipts or accountability.

The Assembly expressed deep concern that such practices undermine the credibility of government revenue systems, fuel fare increases, discourage compliance, and expose drivers, commercial motorcyclists and tricyclist to economic hardship and physical risk.

They emphasized that unless urgent harmonization of transport-related stickers and daily tickets is implemented, the menace will persist across the state.

Consequently, the House resolved to urge the Executive Arm of Government to harmonise all transport-related revenue systems and collections into a single, universally recognised framework.

This includes publishing and gazetting the harmonised ticketing system, enforcing compliance through Oyo State Road Traffic Management Agency (OYRTMA) and security agencies, dismantling illegal roadblocks, prosecuting offenders, and ensuring collaboration with drivers’ unions and park management authorities to protect the rights of commercial operators.

The motion also tasked the Assembly’s Committees on Transport, Finance, Appropriation, and State Economic Planning to liaise with relevant ministries, agencies, and drivers’ associations to ensure the full implementation of the harmonised system.

The Speaker, Rt. Hon. Adebo Ogundoyin, praised the motion, emphasizing its timeliness and necessity.

He said he personally co-sponsored it to demonstrate the Assembly’s commitment to securing the welfare of the state’s transport operators and strengthening compliance with government revenue policies.