Osun govt moves to eliminate multiple taxation, illegal revenue collection

The Osun State Government has begun implementing measures to tackle multiple taxation, curb illegal revenue collection, and improve accountability in the transport sector under the Integrated Transport, Traffic and Park Management System Law, 2026.

The government announced this on Wednesday during a sensitization program organized by the Ministry of Transportation to educate transport operators and other stakeholders on the new law and its implications for commercial transportation across the state.

The programme brought together transport union leaders, park managers, commercial drivers, motorcycle riders, vehicle owners, government officials and other stakeholders to discuss regulations governing transport operations, motor parks and compliance with traffic rules.

Speaking at the event, the Permanent Secretary and Accounting Officer of the Ministry of Transportation, Olumide Taiwo, said the law was designed to establish an organised, transparent and technology-driven transport system that would protect operators while ensuring compliance with government regulations.

Taiwo said the sensitisation programme was necessary to help stakeholders understand the law’s requirements, their responsibilities and the safeguards against arbitrary enforcement and additional financial burdens on transport operators.

He explained that the legislation covered the registration and identification of commercial vehicles and operators, the use of approved motor parks and loading points, the proper display of vehicle number plates, roadworthiness certification and traffic management.

According to the Permanent Secretary, digital technology would be central to implementing the system, with provisions for electronic identification, QR codes, Near Field Communication (NFC) credentials, digital payment records, surveillance cameras and Automatic Number Plate Recognition systems.

He said the measures would improve the verification of vehicles and operators, strengthen monitoring and make the enforcement of transport regulations more transparent.

The reform also proposes linking the Daily Operation Levy to verified commercial activities to distinguish vehicles engaged in commercial operations from those not operating on particular days.

The arrangement is expected to address arbitrary revenue assessments and repeated collections from transport operators by providing a more accountable system for determining and recording payments.

The Acting Chairman of the Osun Internal Revenue Service, Solanke Hamzat, said the initiative aligned with efforts to simplify tax administration, promote transparency and eliminate multiple taxation.

Hamzat said the reform was aimed at making tax collection straightforward and accountable, adding that simplicity and transparency were essential to building confidence in the revenue administration system.

He explained that the digital framework would help the government tackle revenue leakages by preventing duplicate tickets and other irregularities in the collection of public revenue.

According to him, directing payments through official government accounts would improve accountability and reduce opportunities for unauthorised individuals to divert public funds.

Hamzat added that digital payment records and official receipts would give transport operators verifiable proof of payment and protect them from repeated demands after fulfilling their obligations.

He expressed optimism that the system would curb harassment by unauthorised collectors and reduce the activities of touts demanding payments from motorists on the roads.

On the commencement of implementation, Hamzat said the law was already in force and required commercial vehicle operators to register within 60 days of the governor’s assent.

He urged affected stakeholders to comply with the registration requirement, noting that the statutory period was already running.

The state government said the sensitisation program was part of efforts to prepare transport operators for the new regulatory framework, which is intended to improve transport administration, revenue collection, and compliance with traffic regulations.