Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), through its Membership Satisfaction and Monitoring Unit, held a one-day strategic dialogue with stakeholders on the implementation of the Single Inter-State Road Tax Sticker (SIRTS) and Single Haulage Fee (SHF) initiative.
The dialogue at the MAN House in Ikeja, brought together representatives from government, member companies, and the media to deliberate on lingering issues of illegal toll collection, multiple taxation, and the high cost of transporting raw materials and finished goods across the country.
MAN Director General, Segun Ajayi-Kadir, described the initiatives as vital for improving Nigeria’s business environment and transport logistics.
However, he expressed concern about implementation challenges, including arbitrary enforcement, multiple demands, and vague payment procedures, which continue to frustrate manufacturers.
The Executive Chairman of the Lagos State Internal Revenue Service (LIRS), Dr. Ayodele Subair, represented by Mr. Tokunbo Akande, highlighted the benefits of the initiatives, stressing that they would cut down the over 42 stickers transporters currently pay across states, reduce costs, improve documentation, and enhance supply chain efficiency.
He, however, acknowledged challenges such as pushback from informal collectors and poor digital enforcement, calling for greater sensitisation and stakeholder collaboration.
Similarly, the Executive Chairman of the Ogun State Internal Revenue Service (OGSIRS), Mr. Olugbenga Anthony Olaleye, was represented by Mrs. Oluyemi Daudu, who emphasised that with a single sticker, transporters could move seamlessly nationwide, thereby curbing illegal roadblocks and extortion.
He stressed the need for stronger cooperation among states under the Joint Tax Board framework and the deployment of digital verification tools to close enforcement gaps.
The Chairman of MAN Ogun Branch, Mr. George Onafowakan, who moderated the questions and answers session, strongly condemned the use of non-state actors and touts for toll collection, describing the practice as inimical to the ease of doing business.
He urged government authorities to end such practices and adopt more transparent, technology-driven systems.
The dialogue concluded with recommendations including the need for MAN and the Joint Tax Board to develop a harmonised framework for nationwide adoption, stronger sensitisation campaigns, provision of dedicated help lines for transporters, and periodic stakeholder engagement to review progress.