The Transportation Secretariat of the Federal Capital Territory Administration has suspended the enforcement of its Drivers and Riders Permit Levy pending further engagement with relevant stakeholders.
The directive was issued by the Mandate Secretary of the 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 Elechi in the letter obtained in Abuja on Monday, the decision followed a meeting held on February 19 with leaders of the Association of Dispatch Riders in the Federal Capital Territory.
He explained that concerns were raised during the meeting over alleged multiple taxation by various authorities, prompting the administration to reconsider the immediate enforcement of the levy.
“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,” the letter read.
The mandate secretary further directed the company to ensure full compliance with the instruction, stressing that the suspension would remain in place until consultations with stakeholders are concluded.
The development is expected to provide temporary relief to dispatch riders operating within the FCT, many of whom had expressed concerns over the financial burden posed by the levy.
