- The Transportation Secretariat of the FCTA suspends the controversial Drivers and Riders Permit Levy following mass protests.
- Mandate Secretary Dr. Chinedum Elechi directs First Capital Cargo Ltd to halt collection immediately.
- Dispatch riders in the FCT previously decried paying over ₦38,000 in combined annual levies across various area councils.
The Transportation Secretariat of the Federal Capital Territory Administration has officially suspended the enforcement of its Drivers and Riders Permit Levy until further notice.
Eko Hot Blog reports that this decision comes after a direct intervention by the Mandate Secretary, Dr. Chinedum Elechi, who issued a formal directive to First Capital Cargo Ltd, the private firm contracted to oversee the collection process.
EDITOR’S PICK
- 540 Candidates Cleared as Lagos APC Moves to Elect LGA Executives
- Court Sentences Pastor to Death for Killing UniUyo Student
- Lagos Teacher Questions Lack of Recognition for One-Day Governor Mentors
The suspension is a direct result of a high level meeting held on February 19, 2026, between government officials and the leadership of the Association of Dispatch Riders.
The primary goal of this pause is to allow for deeper consultation with all relevant stakeholders and to address the growing outcry over the financial burden placed on logistics workers within the capital.
The root of the conflict stems from a massive demonstration staged by thousands of dispatch riders who converged on the FCTA Secretariat in Abuja last Thursday.
The protesters appealed directly to the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, to protect them from what they described as systematic extortion and “multiple taxation.”
According to the riders, they were already being subjected to an annual levy of ₦13,000 by various area councils, including the Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC), Bwari, and Gwagwalada.
The introduction of the new ₦25,000 permit levy by the FCT Transportation Secretariat pushed their total annual tax burden to nearly ₦40,000, excluding daily market entrance fees of ₦300.
This combination of charges has made it increasingly difficult for riders to maintain their livelihoods while serving the city’s residents.
In the letter addressed to the collection firm, Dr. Elechi acknowledged these concerns, noting that the riders’ grievances regarding multiple authorities collecting similar taxes were valid and required urgent attention.
He emphasized that the administration would prioritize a fair and streamlined process to ensure that the logistics sector can thrive without being suffocated by redundant levies.
The suspension of enforcement is seen as a major relief for the thousands of young Nigerians employed in the delivery business, which has become a vital part of Abuja’s economy.
This latest development follows a trend of responsive governance in the FCT as the administration continues to navigate the complexities of revenue generation versus the welfare of its citizens.
The riders have expressed hope that the upcoming stakeholder engagements will lead to a more harmonized tax system, possibly merging the various council levies into a single, manageable annual payment.
For now, the threat of harassment or bike seizures for non payment of the permit has been lifted, allowing business operations to continue normally across the territory.
