Dispatch riders wey dey operate for Federal Capital Territory (FCT) on Thursday storm streets to protest alleged multiple taxation, as dem call on FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, make e intervene.
The riders gather for FCT Administration Secretariat for Abuja, complain say despite say dem don dey pay their normal taxes to area councils, another group of revenue collectors don come dey demand fresh and higher levy.
Spokesperson of the riders, Olawale Ilesanmi, while addressing journalists, talk say members of the association don always comply with tax payments over the years, but recently dem confront new demand of N25,000 under FCT Administration.
According to am, riders currently dey pay N13,000 annually to area councils including Abuja Municipal Area Council(AMAC), Bwari Area Council and Gwagwalada Area Council.
He say the newly introduced N25,000 levy dey far higher than wetin dem dey pay before and don increase financial burden on riders.
“We know say to pay tax na our statutory duty and we don dey comply every year. But suddenly, another set of tax collectors show up in the name of FCT Administration, demanding higher amount,” Ilesanmi talk.
He further allege say some motorcycles don even dey impound, and owners must pay the new levy before dem fit collect their bikes back. Riders also complain about other daily operational charges wey dey affect their business.
The protesters explain say their aim na to draw attention of the minister to what dem describe as unlawful multiple taxation and alleged extortion.
However, the protest later suspend after officials of FCT Transportation Secretariat meet with leaders of the riders and promise say dem go investigate the matter.
Earlier, Acting Executive Chairman of FCT Internal Revenue Service (FCT-IRS), Michael Ango, don assure residents say issues of multiple taxation for the territory go soon resolve.
He say FCT-IRS go lead efforts to address duplication and multiplicity of taxes within Abuja.
Meanwhile, Federal Government begin enforcement of new tax regime from January 1, 2026, following introduction of four major laws — Nigeria Tax Act, Nigeria Tax Administration Act, Nigeria Revenue Service Establishment Act and Joint Revenue Board Establishment Act.
The situation don raise fresh concerns among small business operators for the FCT as dem dey call for clarity and fairness in tax collection.
