FCT Dispatch Riders Protest Tax Burden
Hundreds of dispatch riders gathered at the Federal Capital Territory Administration Secretariat on Thursday, urging Minister Nyesom Wike to step in over what they described as crushing multiple taxes.
The riders, who arrived in large numbers on their motorcycles, said the growing levies are draining their income and threatening their jobs.
They explained that aside from annual payments to area councils such as AMAC, Bwari and Gwagwalada, a new group claiming ties to the FCT Administration has begun demanding an extra N25,000.
The riders said they already pay N13,000 yearly to the councils and cannot cope with the fresh charge.
Their spokesman, Olawale Ilesanmi, said members have always paid their dues but now feel pushed to the wall.
He added that some motorcycles have been seized and only released after payments, while riders are also made to pay N300 each time they enter certain markets, sometimes several times in a day.
The protest slowed activities at the secretariat before officials from the FCT Transportation Secretariat met with the group’s leaders.
The riders later paused their action after being assured that talks would be opened to address their concerns.
