FCTA Suspends Enforcement of Drivers, Riders’ Permit Levy
By Favour Momodu
The Transportation Secretariat of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has suspended the enforcement of its controversial Drivers and Riders Permit Levy following protests by dispatch riders over alleged multiple taxation.
The directive was issued by the Mandate Secretary of the Transportation Secretariat, Dr. Chinedum Elechi, in a letter addressed to the Managing Director of First Capital Cargo Ltd, the firm contracted to collect the levy.
According to the letter obtained in Abuja on Monday, the decision followed a meeting held on February 19 between officials of the secretariat and leaders of the Association of Dispatch Riders in the FCT.
“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,” Elechi stated.
He further instructed the company to ensure full compliance with the directive.
The development comes days after hundreds of dispatch riders staged a protest at the FCTA Secretariat in Abuja on February 19, decrying what they described as excessive and overlapping levies imposed on their operations.
The riders appealed directly to the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, urging him to intervene and halt what they termed extortion by multiple authorities.
According to the protesters, they currently pay an annual levy of N13,000 to the Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC), as well as to the Bwari and Gwagwalada Area Councils.
They argued that the newly introduced N25,000 permit levy by the FCTA Transportation Secretariat places an additional financial burden on them.
The riders also claimed that they are required to pay a N300 ticket each time they enter markets within Abuja, further compounding their operating costs.
Industry observers say the suspension signals a willingness by the FCTA to engage stakeholders and review the levy framework to avoid duplication and ensure fairness in revenue collection.
The administration is expected to hold further consultations with representatives of the riders, area councils and other relevant agencies before taking a final decision on the implementation of the permit levy.
