By Daniel Tyokua
The Abuja Drivers Delivery Van has urged the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike to resolve the conflicting permits being sold to drivers on Abuja roads by two departments of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA).
Briefing journalists at the weekend in Abuja, the chairman Abuja Delivery Van, Comrade Lawal Abdullahi, said it was illegal for departments of government to be collecting same permit two times from motorists.
He said the department of Outdoor Advertising and Signage (DOAS) and the FCT Transportation Secretariat-have each employed consultants to sell different permits, called State Permit, and the Haulage Permit, which he said were causing confusion .
Abdullahi explained that the situation has become untenable and requires the immediate intervention of the Minister, to help stop unsuspecting public from falling prey of the illegalities.
“There are Conflicting Permits and double Charges 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.Better still, these two departments do not acknowledge each other’s permits as their illegal enforcement team discredit each other.
“For instance, if a driver pays for a permit from the Transportation Secretariat, DOAS always discredit such permits and refuse to accept it. This has left taxpayers in a dilemma, unsure of which permit is valid.
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. Furthermore, 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 the heard earn 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.
“We are calling on the Minister of the FCT, Nyesom Wike to take immediate action by abolishing these permit payments.They have no constitutional backing, and the stoppage would alleviate the financial stress on drivers and restore order on Abuja’s roads.
“We want the honourable minister to investigate and bring to book those using his name to extort money illegally from Abuja drivers, also such extortion and those behind it should be prosecuted while refund should be made to the government coffers”.
