Abuja dispatch riders protest over N15k “paper” levy and double taxation

Dispatch Riders in FCT Abuja today staged a protest against the ₦15,000 “paper” or permit levy/fee and double taxation. They described the fee as yet another “burdensome charge” on top of other existing levies incurred on riders.

The fee, imposed by the Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC) and FCT authorities, serves as an addition to already imposed fees on the operations of dispatch riders, including taxes, registrations, and other levies.

In what they tagged as excessive, duplicative, and unnecessary, dispatch riders noted that they are not willing to pay the newly imposed fee. They added that the fee is another attempt to pile more pressure on their worsening returns.

The protesters were gathered in numbers on their bikes, carrying placards and chanting solidarity songs. They expressed frustration over what they called “FCT paper” and “rumble taxation.” “Too much tax is not good.” One of the placards reads: “We say no to the FCT paper. Say no to rumble taxation,” another one reads.

The protest underscores increasing frustrations among gig workers facing harsh working conditions, thereby making their cost of operation and returns almost a near figure.

For the dispatch riders, the protest comes amid ongoing complaints over revenue collections and regulations by various agencies and bodies in the FCT. The excessive taxing and overregulation are crippling their business and making it less profitable. The increasing financial pressure has become unbearable for operators who provide essential delivery services across Nigeria’s capital city.

Dispatch riders have become pivotal to economic activities in today’s fast-paced world, serving as the backbone of logistics, e-commerce, and on-demand services, particularly in fast-paced urban environments such as Lagos and FCT Abuja. 

Also Read: Bolt rewards top riders with Airpods, iPhone 17 Pro gifts to start the new year.

Dispatch riders call for review of levies

In their demands, the dispatch riders appealed to the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, to intervene and stop the extortion. They urged the minister to review the structure of their current taxation and unify all levels to prevent any means of exploitation.

The protesters noted that while they are not against paying authorised and legitimate government levies, the imposition of duplicate, unclear or unnecessary charges must be stopped. 

In addition, the dispatch riders called on the government to engage their representatives in addressing their grievances and form a transparent relationship that would uplift their business, rather than put pressure on them. 

Responding to their grievances, Head of Internal Security, Olubim Soulja, together with Dr Emmanuel, Director of the Administration and Security Services Department, per The Guardian, told protesters that their concerns would be addressed. 

Soulja said: “Our discussion today is centred on resolving whatever concerns are agitating your minds. I am pleased to hear you acknowledge that the Honourable Minister is working.”

He added that “We can all see improvements, including better roads that make movement easier. But such developments require funding, and that funding must come through proper government processes.”

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