Abuja drivers beg Wike to halt multiple permit payments

By Stanley Onyekwere

Some Abuja motorists have cried out to minister of the FCT, Barrister Nyesom Wike, to swiftly intervene in the conflicting permits and other double payments threatening their survival, by ordering its immediate halt, and probe the individuals responsible.
In particular, they urged the minister to abolish such payments, as there no constitutional backing for such, which according to them will alleviate the financial stress on them, and restore order on Abuja’s roads.
Making this appeal at a press conference, FCT Chairman, Abuja Delivery Van, Comrade Lawal Abdullahi, alleged that there are two separate and conflicting permits being sold to drivers by two departments under the FCT Administration, from two different approvals from the same administration, leading to confusion and unnecessary financial burdens on their activities.
He disclosed that the Department of Outdoor Advertising and Signage (DOAS) and the FCT Transportation Secretariat, each had employed consultants to sell different permits; State Permit, and the Haulage Permit to the motorists.
According to him, the situation has become untenable and requires the immediate intervention of the FCT minister, because unsuspecting public are falling prey of such illegalities.
He said: “Recently, Abuja drivers have been forced to purchase both permits, with costs ranging from N35,000 to N50,000, depending on who is selling the paper; and these two departments do not acknowledge each other’s permits as their illegal enforcement team discredit each other.
“This has left taxpayers in a dilemma, unsure of which permit is valid. Legal opinions have confirmed that there is no legal or constitutional basis for these payments been demanded by illegal consultant engaged by both the FCT Transportation Secretariat and DOAS.
“These bodies are not authorized revenue collection agencies. Furthermore, the consultants collecting the fees-tagged “Wike’s Documents” do not appear to have any legitimate ties to the FCT Administration,yet they continue to swindle Abuja drivers of the heard earn income.
“To add to the frustration, when taxpayers request to make payments into a government account, the consultants insist on collecting cash, thereby fueling suspicions on actual destination of the money.
“The near forceful collection of the money (payment) from drivers has caused severe financial strain on our drivers, many of whom are already struggling with the current economic situation.
“We are calling on the Honourable Minister of the FCT, Barrister Nyesom Wike, to take immediate action by abolishing the conflicting permit payments.
‘And we want the honourable minister to investigate and bring to book those using his name to extort money illegally from Abuja drivers. Also such extortion and those behind it should be prosecuted while refund should be made to the government coffers.
“We recommend that the relevant departments engage with transport unions and cher key stakeholders to better understand their challenges and work together to find fair and practical solutions.
“It is essential to launch a campaign that educates drivers about their rights and responsibilities to help prevent them from falling victim to illegal payments and exploitation by unscrupulous officials.”