The Enugu State Government has banned the collection of levies and tolls on highways and roads.

The state government said the ban announced on Monday takes effect immediately, adding that it has also constituted a task force to enforce the ban.

The announcement, contained in a statement signed by Professor Chidiebere Onyia, Secretary to the State Government (SSG), warned that anyone caught in the illegal act would be prosecuted.

The government said it viewed with utmost displeasure the activities of those who constitute nuisances on public roads and deploy all manner of crude tactics to extort monies from vehicles transporting goods, farm produce, and livestock in the state in the name of collecting levies and tolls on behalf of government.

Onyia said: “The Enugu State Government hereby bans the collection of levies and tolls along highways and roads in the state by individuals or groups of individuals purportedly acting on behalf of government. They have been, by this announcement, put on notice to quit all highways and roads within the state, as failure to comply will attract severe consequences.”

Explaining further the justification for the ban, he said that the anti-business activities of syndicates operating on the highways and roads were contrary to the current government’s determination to dismantle obstacles to the ease of doing business in the state.

The SSG warned that the current administration shall not pay lip service to its stated commitment to expand the Enugu economy sevenfold by promoting economic activities, enabling private sector investments, and offering incentives to boost productive sectors such as agricultural and agro-allied activities in the state.

He further assured that the government will encourage those willing to engage in lawful economic and business activities that are beneficial to the state.