Group urges Gov Oborevwori to review high levy for commercial tricycle operators

The Delta State Ministry of Transport has condemned in strong terms the illegal activities by touts and individuals engaged in the extortion of innocent commercial tricycles(Keke) and motorcycle(Okada) operators, motorists, commuters and even transporters across the State.

According to a statement from the office of the Honourable Commissioner for Transport, Mr. Onoriode Agorfure indicates that all illegal activities involving extortion, illegal tax forces amongst others, putting the Ministry in bad light will strongly be resisted.

The statement further adds that anyone caught in the act of collecting or issuing fake tickets and extorting citizens will be dealth decisively by prosecution.

In the same vein, for the umpteenth time the Ministry emphasized that the profiling and revalidation of commercial tricycle and motorcycle operators was for security purposes, the items to be issued to the operators include Apron, ID cards and sticker(BarCode), at a cost of #7,500 naira only.

It was gathered all law enforcement agents are on red alert to arrest and prosecute extortionist(s).

The group under the aegies of Initiative For Social Rights Concerns And Advancement(ISRCA) AKA “No Justice, No Peace” has reacted to the statement by the Delta State Government.

They added that the Delta State Government’s seven thousand, five hundred naira on commercial tricycle operators is on the high side considering the precarious state of the economy coupled with severe hardship.

ISRCA National Coordinator, Comrade (Amb) Derrick Oritsematosan Agberen made the statement in his reply to the Delta State Ministry of Transport.

The group said ,”Inasmuch as the task force demanding ₦12,000 instead of the ₦7,500 from the aforementioned operators is the same as the constituted authority, ₦7,500 remains on the higher side considering the precarious state of the economy coupled with severe hardship.

“If the stated ₦7,500 is intended for profiling and revalidation of commercial tricycle and motorcycle operators, inclusive of an apron, ID card, and barcode stickers, considering the previous amount was ₦3,000, does ₦7,500 not appear excessive, particularly in light of the substantial number of tricycles and motorcycles in the State?

“The primary purpose of governance is to cut costs and not impose unnecessary taxes on citizens who have derived minimal benefits, instead facing undue hardships. Ideally, these kits should be distributed to licensed indigenous tricycle and motorcycle operators upon completion of their licenses registration (particulars), free of charge, as a matter of course.

“Considering the chaotic nature inherent in commercial transportation operations, the Delta State Government should not expect the masses to accept every decision made without their input, as most operators are shouldering significant financial burdens, including family responsibilities.

“If I may ask, what measures have been implemented to refund the ₦12,000 excess payment made by operators who have already paid, given that the published amount is ₦7,500, and the payment was made to the authentic task-force group recognized by the State Government?”

The group also advocated for a reconsideration of this matter, particularly with regard to the reduction of ₦7,500, as well as implement measures to facilitate refunds from the ₦12,000 already collected from operators.