Dispatch riders in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) on Thursday stormed the FCT Administration Secretariat in Abuja, protesting what they described as multiple taxation imposed on their operations.

The riders, who turned out in large numbers, appealed to the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, to intervene and halt what they termed extortion by revenue collectors.

Speaking to journalists during the protest, one of the riders’ spokespersons, Olawale Ilesanmi, said members were not opposed to paying taxes but rejected what he called “unlawful multiple taxation.”

“We riders know that it is 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,” he said.

According to him, dispatch riders currently pay N13,000 annually to the area councils, including the Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC), Bwari and Gwagwalada. However, he alleged that a new revenue collector recently emerged, demanding N25,000 in the name of the FCT Administration.

He said several motorcycles belonging to riders had been impounded, with owners allegedly compelled to pay the new fee before their bikes could be released.

“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,” Ilesanmi said.

He further stated that dispatch riders are required to pay N300 each time they enter markets within the FCT.

“This means that when we enter the market 10 times in a day, we are bound to pay N300 10 times,” he added.

The protest was later suspended following the intervention of officials from the FCT Transportation Secretariat, who held discussions with leaders of the dispatch riders and assured them that their grievances would be looked into. (Nigerian Tribune)