ABUJA – In a dramatic plea for justice, Comrade Lawal Abdullahi, Chairman of the Abuja Drivers Delivery Van Association, has called on the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Barr. Nyesom Wike, to swiftly address a growing crisis of conflicting permits that has left drivers in the FCT financially strained and confused.
Speaking at a press conference held in Abuja on Sunday, Abdullahi outlined the chaotic situation, describing it as a “legal extortion” of drivers by consultants hired by two separate FCT departments.
“Gentlemen of the press, we are here today to draw the attention of the Honourable Minister, Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Barrister Nyesom Wike, to the critical issue of conflicting permits being sold to Abuja motorists. Two departments under the FCT Administration, the Department of Outdoor Advertising and Signage (DOAS) and the FCT Transportation Secretariat, have each employed consultants to sell separate permits: one called the ‘State Permit’ and the other the ‘Haulage Permit,’” Abdullahi revealed.
He explained that the situation has escalated into a nightmare for Abuja motorists, who are now forced to purchase both permits, with fees ranging between N35,000 and N50,000 depending on which consultant is involved. Worse still, the two departments refuse to acknowledge each other’s permits, leaving drivers in a state of confusion and subjecting them to double payments.
Abdullahi stressed that the conflicting permits have led to unnecessary financial burdens on drivers, many of whom are already struggling in Nigeria’s current economic climate. “Unsuspecting drivers are falling prey to these illegalities. They pay for one permit, only to be harassed for not having the other. This chaotic situation has no legal or constitutional basis, and it is creating severe financial stress on Abuja drivers,” he said.
The chairman also lamented the role of consultants, who not only issue the permits under dubious circumstances but insist on collecting cash payments, fueling suspicions about the destination of the funds. “These payments are being tagged as ‘Wike’s Documents,’ even though there seems to be no legitimate connection to the FCT Administration. Drivers have no choice but to comply, and this has led to a growing sense of frustration and helplessness,” Abdullahi added.
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In a passionate appeal to Barr. Nyesom Wike, Abdullahi called for the immediate abolition of the conflicting permits. “We respectfully request the Honourable Minister to take immediate action by abolishing these permit payments. They have no constitutional backing, and stopping them would alleviate the financial burden on drivers and restore order to Abuja’s roads.”
The association also urged the Minister to investigate the individuals behind the extortion and prosecute them, while ensuring that all illegally collected funds are returned to government coffers. “We need the Minister to investigate those using his name to extort drivers and prosecute them. Abuja drivers have had enough,” Abdullahi emphasized.
In addition to the abolition of the permits, Abdullahi outlined a series of recommendations aimed at resolving the crisis. He called for a stakeholder engagement process involving transport unions and key officials, which would help to better understand the challenges facing drivers and develop fair, practical solutions.
“We also need a public awareness campaign to educate drivers about their rights and responsibilities. This would prevent them from falling victim to these illegal payments and exploitation by unscrupulous officials,” Abdullahi suggested.
Comrade Lawal Abdullahi concluded the press conference by appealing to Barr. Nyesom Wike for swift and decisive action. “We believe that the Honourable Minister, with his track record of leadership, will not allow this issue to fester. The conflicting permits and double payments must be addressed immediately. Failure to do so will only continue to place an undue burden on drivers and further disrupt the harmony of Abuja’s roads.”
The press conference ended with a strong message of hope that the Minister will intervene, bringing an end to the legal extortion faced by Abuja’s hardworking drivers.
