Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) don suspend enforcement of Drivers and Riders Permit Levy for Abuja, pending further discussion with stakeholders.

 

Transportation Secretariat wey dey under FCTA give the order after meeting wey dem hold with leaders of dispatch riders for February 19.

 

Mandate Secretary, Dr. Chinedum Elechi, write letter go give First Capital Cargo Ltd — the company wey dem contract to collect the levy — make dem stop the enforcement immediately.

 

For the letter wey dem get for Abuja on Monday, Elechi talk say the decision follow complaints wey dispatch riders raise about multiple taxation from different authorities.

 

“Following the meeting with leaders of the Association of Dispatch Riders for FCT, and the concerns about multiple taxation wey dem raise, you are hereby directed to suspend the enforcement and collection of the Drivers and Riders Permit Levy, pending further engagement with all relevant stakeholders,” Elechi write.

 

He add say make the company comply fully with the directive.

 

Meanwhile, recall say on February 19, thousands of dispatch riders storm the FCT Administration Secretariat for protest. Dem complain say too many taxes dey choke their business.

 

The riders beg FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, make he intervene and stop wetin dem describe as extortion.

 

According to the riders, dem already dey pay N13,000 yearly levy to area councils like Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC), Bwari and Gwagwalada. On top that one, FCTA come introduce another N25,000 permit levy.

 

Dem also talk say each time dem enter market for Abuja, dem dey pay N300 ticket, making the whole thing look like multiple taxation.

 

With this latest directive, many riders say dem dey hopeful say government go sit down with all parties involved to find lasting solution wey go favour both government and the workers.