馃嚦馃嚞NigeriaWest Africa
Kwara State implements digital haulage fee system, warns against illegal roadblocks and unauthorized collections
via Punch Nigeria2 min read
The Kwara State Government has introduced a digital haulage fee payment system through the Kwara State Internal Revenue Service KW-IRS as part of broader tax reforms. This initiative aims to improve revenue collection, eliminate multiple levies, and enhance the ease of doing business in the state. The Executive Chairman of KW-IRS, Shade Omoniyi, announced that the digital platform is now operational for all haulage operators and transporters, replacing traditional roadside fee collection. The new system is designed to increase transparency, accountability, and efficiency, and discontinues roadblocks and unauthorized checkpoints for revenue collection. Transporters will now process all haulage fees electronically, rather than making payments to individuals on highways. KW-IRS has re-engaged consultants to manage operator registration, issue official haulage tags, and oversee the digital payment platform. Registration is mandatory for all operators, who must obtain a haulage tag for identification. The government has warned that individuals, transport unions, or any groups found collecting unauthorized fees, erecting illegal roadblocks, or obstructing haulage operators will face sanctions. Transporters and taxpayers are urged to comply with the new system, and KW-IRS offices or authorized consultants can provide clarification. This digital platform is part of Kwara State's ongoing efforts to reform tax administration, reduce revenue leakages, and eliminate illegal collections b
Free daily or weekly digest of the most important stories from across 18 African countries. No spam, unsubscribe any time.
This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by Punch Nigeria.
Dr. Bolaji Olagunju, Founder and Group Chairman of Workforce Group, argues that public sector board appointments in Nigeria are often treated with insufficient rigor, leading to institutional failures. He emphasizes that appointing a board member is a critical hiring decision, more consequential than many other personnel choices, yet it frequently lacks the procedural scrutiny applied to junior staff. Dr. Olagunju identifies four distinct activities that are often collapsed into one: selection, screening, due diligence, and appointment. He asserts that in Nigeria, the process often begins with the appointment, with selection, screening, and due diligence, if they occur at all, reduced to mere formalities. He cites the establishment of the National Pension Commission PenCom in 2004 as a positive Nigerian example where a deliberate and rigorous selection process led to a high-performing board and a successful pension system. To improve public sector governance, Dr. Olagunju proposes six questions for any appointing authority: What does this board need that it does not currently have? Does this candidate bring it? Will this candidate exercise independent judgment? Has this candidate done serious work of this kind before? What is the candidate鈥檚 standing, in three different rooms? If this appointment fails, what will the country lose? He acknowledges that implementing these questions would reduce the discretion and patronage capacity of appointing authorities but stresses that pu
Must ReadThe Federal High Court has amended its 2026 Pre-Election Practice Directions, introducing new measures that allow judges to conduct virtual hearings and transfer pre-election cases between judicial divisions. The amendments also mandate that court registries remain open on weekends and public holidays for filing election-related suits. Issued by Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Justice John Tsoho, these changes took effect on July 14, just three weeks after the original Practice Directions were implemented on June 26. According to Dr. Catherine Christopher, the court鈥檚 Director of Information, the amendments aim to enhance the speedy, efficient, and fair resolution of pre-election matters in line with the Constitution and the Electoral Act, 2026. The revised document broadens the court鈥檚 administrative and technological capabilities for the 2027 general elections, empowering judges to utilize technology, including virtual hearings. The Chief Judge can now assign judges to hear pre-election matters in any judicial division and transfer cases as needed. Electronic case management is strengthened, allowing urgent notifications to counsel via email and other electronic means with at least 48 hours' notice. While retaining the limit of two adjournments per party, the new rules state that no adjournment application will be entertained on a hearing day. Parties changing counsel are also limited to two adjournments. Preliminary objections and interlocutory issues concerning jur
Must ReadThe Kogi State Police Command has confirmed the abduction of a school principal, one NECO ad hoc staff member, and four students during the ongoing National Examinations Council examination at Government Secondary School, Odo-Ekina, in Dekina Local Government Area. The incident occurred on Tuesday, July 14, 2026, around 5:25 p.m. A combined team of police and other security agencies launched a search and rescue operation, resulting in the rescue of one student. Efforts are ongoing to secure the remaining victims and apprehend the perpetrators. The Commissioner of Police, Kogi State Command, Naziru Kankarofi, the Brigade Commander, and the State Security Adviser to the Governor of Kogi State are visiting the scene for assessment. This incident follows a separate abduction on July 9, 2026, where armed hoodlums attacked a Hummer bus conveying a corpse along the Ochadamu-Ejule Expressway, abducting its occupants. The corpse was later recovered and deposited at Elemona Mortuary, Ejule, and efforts are underway to rescue the other victims from that incident.