Ondo State Government has reviewed upward the daily ticket rates for commercial motorcyclists and tricyclists in the state from N150 to N500.
Special Adviser to the State Governor on Special Duties and Strategies, Comrade Gani Muhammed Ajowa, announced this on Tuesday in Akure at a meeting with key stakeholders held at the Corporate Headquarters of the Ondo State Internal Revenue Service (ODIRS).
He said the new rate aimed at standardizing pricing and eliminate exploitative practices in the rates collection and remittance to government coffers.
According to Ajowa, investigation uncovered irregularities, with agents charging 500 Naira while they only remitted 150 Naira to the government.
On concerns about potential fare increases for passengers, he said that measures were in place to prevent undue hardship. His words: “We are all in this together, Fare monitoring will be intensified to ensure affordability for the public.”
He said the revised ticketing regime is expected to bolster revenue for infrastructure development while maintaining affordability in transportation.
In an interview with newsmen the Chairman of the Ondo State Internal Revenue Service, (ODIRS), Mr. Adebayo Rojugbokan, pointed out that “the essence of this gathering is to formally inform riders across all states that ticket rates are being increased. Previously, the rate was 150 Naira, while in Lagos State, for instance, it was 1,300 Naira; In Ogun, the rate was 1,200 Naira; Edo 1,200 Naira; and Osun 700 Naira.
“Despite the increase in production costs, we maintained our rate at 150 Naira. However, we are now raising it to 500 Naira for all riders.”
On collection strategies, the ODIRS Boss said, “The process will remain seamless, as it has been in the past. However, we are considering a new system, which we are not ready to disclose at the moment. Once finalized, it will be communicated to everyone, and they will appreciate its benefits.”
He said,“All revenues collected will go directly into the government’s treasury. These funds will be used for infrastructure and other developmental projects in addition to allocations from the federation account.”
