Fayose ‘increases’ prices of gravel, sand

Residents of Ekiti State will now pay more for sand and gravel, following the stand-off between Governor Ayo Fayose and members of the Tipper Owners and Quarry Employers.

The stand-off, caused by the government’s imposition of a new tax of N1,000 per trip and a fine of N50,000 for default, was settled yesterday.

Fayose reduced the tax to N500 per trip to take effect from January.

The peace meeting held at Jibowu Hall of the Government House was brokered by the Founder of the Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti (ABUAD), Chief Afe Babalola (SAN). It was attended by the Commissioner of Police, Etop James and Director of the Department of State Services (DSS), Duke Fubara.

With the development, the price of a load of sand has been increased from N12,000 to N14,500. A load of gravel is now N28,000 ,up from N25,000.

Fayose said a tax hike was necessary to make the state less dependent on federal allocation, adding “Ekiti is in dire need of money.”

He maintained that all tipper owners must register their trucks and get new number plates.

Fayose said: “For the fact that I love you and that power belongs to the masses and with the intervention of our revered leader, Chief Babalola and security chiefs, I will accept this proposal. But my position has been that you must pay N1,000 per trip.

“I want us to come to reality that Ekiti is in dire need of money. N934 million is being deducted from our allocation monthly. But no tipper will operate in Ekiti without proper registration. You need to be aware that any illegal operator will be dealt with.”

Fubara said: “The two parties would have to be aware of the security implications of this stand-off.

“You just have to shift grounds for us to find a middle ground to this matter.”

Babalola, who praised the governor’s magnanimity, told the tipper owners to continue to support the government by paying their tax.

Fayose ‘increases’ prices of gravel, sand