The Delta State Ministry of Transport has strongly condemned the illegal activities of touts and individuals involved in the extortion of commercial tricycle (Keke) and motorcycle (Okada) operators, motorists, commuters, and transporters across the state.
In a statement from the office of the Commissioner for Transport, Mr Onoriode Agofure, the ministry stressed that all forms of extortion and the operations of illegal task forces—which tarnish the image of the Ministry—will be firmly resisted.
The statement further warned that anyone caught issuing or collecting fake tickets, or extorting citizens, would be decisively dealt with through legal prosecution.
The Ministry also reiterated, for the umpteenth time, that the ongoing profiling and revalidation of commercial tricycle and motorcycle operators is intended solely for security purposes.
Operators are to be issued an apron, identification card, and a sticker (bar code), all at a total cost of ₦7,500.
Accordingly, all law enforcement agencies have been placed on red alert to apprehend and prosecute anyone involved in extortion.
However, a civil society group under the aegis of the Initiative for Social Rights, Concerns and Advancement (ISRCA), also known as “No Justice, No Peace,” has reacted to the statement issued by the Ministry.
The group criticised the ₦7,500 levy imposed on commercial tricycle operators, arguing that it is excessive given the prevailing economic hardship in the country.
In a response issued by the ISRCA National Coordinator, Comrade (Amb.) Derrick Oritsematosan Agberen, the group stated:
“Inasmuch as the task force demanding ₦12,000 instead of the ₦7,500 from operators is acting with the backing of the constituted authority, the ₦7,500 charge is still on the high side, considering the dire state of the economy and the severe hardship people are facing.”
“If the stated ₦7,500 is meant to cover profiling and revalidation—comprising an apron, ID card, and bar code sticker—and the previous charge was ₦3,000, then ₦7,500 seems excessive, especially given the large number of commercial tricycles and motorcycles in the state.”
The group also stressed that governance should aim at reducing the cost burden on citizens, not imposing further financial strain, particularly on individuals who have received minimal benefits but bear heavy personal and family responsibilities.
“Ordinarily, such items should be provided free of charge to duly licensed indigenous operators upon completion of their registration,” the statement read.
Comrade Agberen further queried: “What measures have been put in place to refund the excess ₦12,000 already collected from some operators, especially since the publicly declared fee is ₦7,500, and payments were made to a recognised task force of the State Government?”
ISRCA urged the Delta State Government to revisit the matter, reconsider the ₦7,500 fee, and put mechanisms in place to facilitate the refund of overcharged payments.
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