EDOCSO DRAGS OREDO LGA TO COURT OVER ‘PARK AND PAY’ LEVY

By Leftist Osazee Edigin

Edo Civil Society Organisations (EDOCSO), a coalition of civil rights groups in Edo state has dragged Oredo Local Government Council to a high court sitting in Benin City over alleged imposition and collection of a ‘park and pay’ levy on all road trunks.
EDOCSO described the levy collection as alien to any known law in Nigeria.
The case came up for mention last Tuesday and the council had legal representation from the state Ministry of Justice ably led by Kolawole Iyamu SAN as defence counsel.
The counsel representing EDOCSO, Robinson Ayodele Esq of the FOI Council raised objection on the state government representing a local government council which is a distinct tier of government hence the state ministry of justice is not qualified to represent the local government council in the suit.
EDOCSO stated that Edo people have been overburdened by too many taxes and levies with nothing to show for it, noting, a local government like Oredo, allegedly adjudged to be the most backward in the state in terms of human and capital development.
The continuous and unwavering demand for good governance is the preoccupation of EDOCSO and 2020 will throw up more civil cases against poor performance, accountability and transparency of government.
Other councils that indulge in same practices will hear from EDOCSO soon as it’s intelligent team are currently working on it.
The case was adjourned to 5th February, 2020 for further hearing on the matter.

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