By Vincent Ujumadu
AS part of efforts to shore up its revenue, Anambra State government has awarded contracts for revenue collection from operators of Global Service Mobile, GSM, and commercial motorcycles, popularly called Okada.

Also to be levied are marine transport operators.

Commissioner for Special Duties and Transport, Mr. Robert Okonkwo, who briefed newsmen on the activities of his ministry in Awka Wednesday, said accredited revenue agents were required to make their payments weekly or monthly through the state’s direct pay system.

He explained that his ministry had also, in collaboration with the state’s Internally Generated Revenue, IGR, committee, awarded contracts for the collection of levies on all containers coming into the state.

The commissioner added that areas to be covered by the contract are Onitsha North, Onitsha South, Ogbaru, Oyi, Idemili North and Nnewi North local government areas.

Each 40ft container is expected to attract N10,000, while levy on 20ft containers will be N5,000.

According to him, government has, in collaboration with Winorac Engineering Services, begun the branding and registration of all commercial vehicles operating in the state, adding that the expectation was that the exercise would be completed by the end of this month.

He said the re-branding would also be extended to commercial motorcycle operators who are required to brand their tanks in the same colours as commercial vehicles, and explained that this category of transporters was expected to have identity cards and vests with the registration numbers clearly emblazoned on them.