The Transportation Secretariat of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has suspended the enforcement of its Drivers and Riders Permit Levy pending further consultations with stakeholders.
The directive was issued by the Mandate Secretary of the secretariat, Dr Chinedum Elechi, in a letter addressed to the Managing Director of First Capital Cargo Ltd, the firm contracted to collect the levy.
The letter, obtained in Abuja on Monday, February 23, stated that the decision followed a meeting with leaders of dispatch riders in the Federal Capital Territory.
Elechi said the suspension became necessary after concerns were raised over alleged multiple taxation by various authorities.
“Following the meeting with the leaders of the Association of Dispatch Riders in the FCT, and the concerns of multiple taxation by various authorities raised during the meeting, you are by this letter directed to suspend the enforcement of collection of the Drivers and Riders Permit Levy, pending further engagement with all relevant stakeholders.
“Please ensure this directive is accorded the needed attention and compliance,” the mandate secretary said.
Naija News reports that the development comes days after dispatch riders stormed the FCT Administration Secretariat on February 19 in protest against what they described as “multiple taxation.”
The riders, who turned out in their thousands, appealed to the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, to intervene and halt what they alleged was extortion.
According to the riders, they currently pay an annual levy of ₦13,000 to the Abuja Municipal Area Council, as well as to the Bwari and Gwagwalada Area Councils.
They argued that the newly introduced ₦25,000 permit levy by the FCT Transportation Secretariat would further compound their financial burden.
In addition, the riders said they pay ₦300 each time they enter a market in Abuja, insisting that the various charges amount to multiple taxation.
The secretariat’s decision to suspend enforcement is expected to pave the way for broader engagement aimed at resolving the dispute.
