Commercial tricycle operators in Abuja popularly known as Keke Napep, have cried out over alleged multiple daily ticket collections by unions along the Jabi-Life Camp axis, alleging that the levies were crippling their businesses.

The operators, who launched the Committee of Keke Napep Riders Abuja, Jabi Branch, on Sunday, November 1, said they wanted a harmonised ticket system to end multiple collections and what they described as harassment by ticket sellers.

Some of the operators who spoke yesterday alleged that some union members with the support of security personnel confronted Keke drivers around Jabi, on Monday over their refusal to pay N500 tickets, with some of the collectors allegedly armed with weapons.

They also complained about the lack of welfare support, insurance and designated loading points, particularly around Life Camp junction.

However, the Financial Secretary of the Abuja Commercial Motorcycle and Tricycle Riders Association (ACOMORON), Jamilu Alhassan, who spoke on behalf of the association’s chairman, said ACOMORON was not involved in the disputed collections or Monday’s alleged intimidation.

Alhassan said the practice of collecting multiple levies had existed for years but was not recognised by ACOMORON’s constitution.

He said he had previously complained about collections along the axis after drivers reported paying as much as N5,500 daily between Life Camp and Utako.

According to him, the collections were made by coalition chairmen who allegedly justified the payments as money for police security, despite the levies not being part of the union’s approved charges.

Alhassan said he raised the matter with ACOMORON’s leadership, which subsequently constituted a three-member committee, including him, to investigate the complaints.

He said the coalition later reduced the collections, first from N2,000 to N1,000 and subsequently from N1,000 to N500, depending on the previous amount paid by drivers.

“I refused to join them in collecting that money because it was not fair. ACOMORON does not indulge in those types of collections,” he said.

Alhassan said ACOMORON’s approved charges included a N200 daily union ticket, N100 for garage booking and another N100 for related garage charges.

He said the union ticket covered drivers throughout the day, adding that the money was used for welfare and compensation for members involved in accidents.

He explained that ACOMORON had stopped operating on the expressway because of the multiple tickets demanded at different points, which he said made the route too expensive for drivers.

“We don’t support this type of taxes they do for them. That is why we don’t work on the express for now,” he said.

Alhassan, however, said ACOMORON was willing to work with the newly established committee to harmonise charges, although he argued that N100 daily would be insufficient to cover welfare and security-related expenses.

He also denied that ACOMORON members participated in Monday’s alleged intimidation, saying the association’s drivers did not operate on the disputed axis that day.

The operators had earlier said they were seeking a single daily ticket to cover the different points along the route, rather than paying multiple charges in the morning and evening.

They also questioned the purpose of the collections, saying drivers were yet to receive adequate support when involved in accidents or other emergencies.

At Life Camp junction, the committee said the absence of a designated Keke loading and parking space forced operators to stop on the road, exposing them to traffic enforcement.

The operators called on relevant authorities and union leaders to address the disputed levies, provide designated loading points and ensure that all collections were transparent and properly regulated. (Daily Trust)