FCTA Suspends Drivers and Riders Permit Levy Amid Protests

The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has temporarily suspended the enforcement of the drivers and riders permit levy to allow for further consultations with stakeholders. This decision follows discussions held on February 19, where representatives of dispatch riders operating within the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) expressed concerns over multiple taxation from various authorities.

Mondai Elechi explained that the suspension is a response to the grievances raised during the meeting, which included a protest by hundreds of dispatch riders at the FCTA secretariat in Abuja. The riders argued that the newly introduced N25,000 permit levy, in addition to an existing annual fee of N13,000, imposes an unfair financial burden on them.

They appealed to the FCT Minister for intervention to halt what they described as unfair levies, which they believe contribute to the problem of multiple taxation.