Lagos State Deputy Governor and All Progressives Congress governorship candidate, Obafemi Hamzat, has pledged to end unauthorised roadside collections and streamline taxes and levies imposed on businesses and transport operators across the state if elected governor in 2027.

Hamzat made the pledge on Thursday during an Independence Day governorship candidates’ town hall meeting in Lagos.

He said commercial transport operators, popularly known as danfo drivers, should have clear and predictable financial obligations instead of being subjected to repeated collections at different points along their routes by road transport agents, commonly referred to as “agbero.”

Hamzat proposed the establishment of a State Economic Council to coordinate revenue policies between the state government and local councils and harmonise levies and charges.

“One of the things we will create is a State Economic Council where, as a government, we meet with all local governments to streamline the process,” he said.

According to him, the objective is to prevent multiple collections and unauthorised charges from being imposed on the same businesses and residents.

“We know they are independent, but we are attending to the same citizens. No one should stand at junctions collecting anything from anybody,” Hamzat said.

He added that businesses should know exactly what they are required to pay and should not face additional roadside demands after settling their official obligations.

“The moment they pay it, they must be left alone so we stop pulling the rug from under them,” he said.

Hamzat also said his administration would work across the federal, state and local government levels to harmonise taxes and charges and remove levies that cannot be properly accounted for.

The pledge comes as Hamzat campaigns for the 2027 Lagos governorship election, with economic management, business protection and improved public services forming part of his stated priorities.