Disorderliness, bitterness, and disrespect to constituted authorities are some of the features that are visible in a state where lawlessness is the order of the day.
Doing business in Port Harcourt and Obio/Akpor Local Government Areas in Rivers State has become terrible and painful due to the activities of illegal revenue agents, popularly known as agboros. The activities of agboros have already been institutionalized in such a manner that on daily basis including work free days they roam about extorting money from traders and other businessmen and women. Their work begins before 7.00am and ends between 11.30pm and 12 midnight. Without exaggeration, some days they work round the clock.
Both commercial and private vehicle owners or drivers often times become their preys or victims. Agboros terrorize drivers for what they some time call, “illegal parking”, operation permit and basket” and collect much from them, before allowing such “defaulters” to go. Collection of taxes and rates are important in the administration of any government for the purpose of provision of goods and services for the citizenry. Tax evasion is a crime against the state.
However, money extorted from the traders and drivers by the so-called agboros do not go into the confers of the state government. Rather these illegal levies are being channeled to private purse or personal account. Agboros defraud the state. The activities of the agboros are very much seen and displayed in places such as Lagos Bus Stop, Isaac Boro Park, Garrison junction, Mile 3 Bus Stop, Agip Round About and Wimpe junction.
Other places include: Education Bus Stop, Station Bus Stop, Rumuokoro junction, Slaughter junction amongst several others.
No doubt agboros have taken over the entire Port Harcourt and Obio/Akpor LGAs. Precisely, two (2) weeks ago some agboros with their “dirty uniforms stood on the ever busy Urualla Street, Mile 1, Diobu checking vehicle particulars from motorists.
This is a state where agboros operate with the help of armed security agents.
Many traders have lost goods and valuable items worth millions of naira to the unholy and illegal activities of agboros in Port Harcourt, the capital city of Rivers State and its neighbouring Obio/Akpor LGA. PHALGA and OBALGA have become safe havens for hoodlums, agboros and bad boys. Their activities within these two LGAs are safe because nobody questions their illegalities and actions. Agboros have sent so many shop owners packing. During their operations some are armed with dangerous weapons. Two years ago, a trader in Obio/Akpor was beaten to a state of coma by the illegal revenue agents (Agboros).
The State Assembly should enact legislation that will tackle the actions of these agboros, so that members of business community will have rest of mind while engaging in their legitimate businesses. ###
Damiete West
08037502931
