By Festus Fifen

As the current economic realities bites harder on Nigerians, Abuja delivery Van drivers have cried out to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory Barr. Nyesom Wike to look into the issues of multiple permits that are issued by two agencies of the government which has brought untold hardship on the drivers within the territory.

In a statement by the Chairman Abuja Delivery Van Association Comrade Lawal Abdullahi , the association frowns at the ways these trade permits are issued thereby raising suspicion on the intensions behind it.

According to comrade Abdullahi, ” We will like to bring to the notice of FCT Minister, Barrister Nyesom Wike 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.

” The Department of Outdoor Advertising and Signage (DOAS) and the FCT Transportation Secretariat-have each employed consultants to sell different permits which they refer to as State Permit, and the Haulage Permit.

” This situation has become untenable and requires the immediate intervention of the Honourable Minister, because unsuspecting public are falling prey to these illegalities.

Comrade Abdullahi said that 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. He added that these two departments do not acknowledge each other’s permits as their illegal enforcement team discredit each other.

He added that 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.

Stating the floors in their operations within the FCT, Comrade Abdullahi says 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 their hard earned 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.”

The group therefore called on the Honourable Minister of the Federal Capital Territory Barrister Nyesom Wike, to take immediate action by abolishing these permit payments noting that they have no constitutional backing, and the stoppage would alleviate the financial stress on drivers and restore order on Abuja’s roads.

They are called on the minister to investigate and bring to book those using his name to extort money illegally from Abuja drivers and those found guilty should be adequately prosecuted.

The group also recommended that the relevant departments engage with transport unions and their key stakeholders to better understand their challenges and work together to find fair and practical solutions.

They concluded by saying failure to resolve these problems will only continue to place an undue burden on drivers and further disrupt transportation and haulage services.