The Oyo State House of Assembly has resolved to confront the persistent problem of illegal revenue collection, multiple ticketing, and harassment of commercial drivers, tricyclists, and motorcyclists across the state, describing the practice as an economic injustice that undermines government credibility and worsens the hardship of transport operators.
The resolution followed the adoption of a motion titled “Need to Curb Illegal Revenue Collection, Multiple Stickers, and Harassment of Commercial Drivers, Tricyclists, and Motorcyclists in Oyo State”, co-sponsored by the Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Adebo Ogundoyin, 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 and debated on Thursday during plenary presided over by the Speaker.
In their submissions, the lawmakers stressed the strategic importance of the transport sector to Oyo State’s economy, noting that commercial motorcyclists, tricycle operators, bus and taxi drivers provide daily mobility for millions of residents while sustaining livelihoods for thousands of families in both urban and rural communities.
They explained that under existing regulations, commercial operators are required to pay officially approved levies, including an annual revenue sticker covering statutory state-imposed charges amounting to ₦10,500, as well as a daily operational ticket of ₦300. However, despite complying with these obligations, operators continue to face widespread extortion by unauthorised individuals who mount illegal roadblocks, issue multiple stickers, and demand additional payments under the guise of government revenue collection.
According to the lawmakers, these illegal levies, often ranging between ₦2,500 and ₦5,000, are collected without receipts or accountability, exposing operators to financial exploitation, intimidation, and in some cases physical harassment. They warned that the unchecked activities of such illegal collectors not only erode trust in government institutions but also inflate transport fares, discourage voluntary compliance with legitimate revenue systems, and push many operators into economic distress.
The Assembly expressed concern that the absence of a harmonised and clearly enforced revenue framework has enabled the proliferation of illegal collections across the state. Lawmakers argued that without urgent intervention, the menace would continue to thrive, undermining public confidence and threatening peace within motor parks and on major roads.
Consequently, the House resolved to urge the Executive Arm of Government to immediately harmonise all transport-related revenue collections into a single, transparent, and universally recognised system. The resolution further called for the publication and gazetting of the harmonised ticketing framework to eliminate ambiguity and abuse.
The Assembly also mandated the Oyo State Road Traffic Management Agency (OYRTMA), in collaboration with security agencies, to enforce compliance with the approved system, dismantle illegal roadblocks, and ensure the arrest and prosecution of individuals involved in unauthorised revenue collection. In addition, the House stressed the need for sustained engagement with drivers’ unions and park management authorities to safeguard the rights and welfare of commercial transport operators.
To ensure effective implementation, the House directed its Committees on Transport, Finance, Appropriation, and State Economic Planning to liaise with relevant ministries, departments, agencies, and transport unions, and to provide oversight on the execution of the harmonised revenue system.
Commending the motion, Speaker Adebo Ogundoyin described it as timely and necessary, noting that he deliberately co-sponsored it to underscore the Assembly’s commitment to protecting the welfare of transport operators while strengthening transparency and accountability in government revenue administration.
He reaffirmed the legislature’s resolve to support policies that promote fairness, ease the burden on citizens, and restore confidence in public institutions, adding that the Assembly would not hesitate to take further legislative action if the problem persists.
