Hundreds of dispatch riders in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) on Thursday besieged the FCT Administration Secretariat, decrying alleged multiple taxation and calling on Minister Nyesom Wike to halt the “extortion”.

The protesters, clad in their distinctive uniforms and riding motorcycles en masse, demanded an end to overlapping levies that they say are crippling their livelihoods.

They claimed that they are frustrated with payments to multiple authorities, including area councils and a new FCT-linked collector.

Spokesman for the riders, Olawale Ilesanmi, explained that they dutifully meet their tax obligations but have reached a breaking point. “We riders know that it’s our statutory obligation to pay tax, and we have been complying year in year out, paying to AMAC, paying to Bwari and to Gwagwalada area councils,” Ilesanmi said.

He detailed the burden: an annual N13,000 fee to area councils like Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC), Bwari and Gwagwalada, now compounded by a new demand of N25,000 from collectors claiming FCT Administration authority. “The N25,000 is way higher than what we pay the area councils. We are, therefore, kicking against the multiple taxation that is affecting us directly in Abuja,” he added.

Ilesanmi recounted further hardships, including impounded motorcycles released only after payment and daily N300 market entry tickets. “This means that when we enter the market 10 times in a day, we are bound to pay N300 10 times,” he explained, underscoring the protest’s message: “No to multiple taxation.”

The protest, which disrupted activities at the secretariat, was suspended after officials from the FCT Transportation Secretariat intervened and met with rider leaders, promising dialogue.

The Sun