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 FCTA Mandate Secretary, Dr Chinedum Elechi, in a letter to the Managing Director of First Capital Cargo Ltd, the company contracted to collect the levy.
The decision follows a meeting held on February 19 with leaders of the Association of Dispatch Riders in the FCT, who raised concerns about multiple taxation. Riders noted that in addition to the N25,000 permit levy introduced by the FCTA, they already pay N13,000 annually to the Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC), Bwari, and Gwagwalada Area Councils, plus a N300 ticket each time they enter Abuja markets.
Dr. Elechi directed the suspension of levy enforcement until further engagement with all relevant stakeholders, emphasizing compliance with the directive.
The suspension comes after thousands of dispatch riders protested at the FCTA Secretariat, appealing to Minister Nyesom Wike to intervene and halt the perceived extortion.
(NAN)
