Commercial tricycle operators in Anambra State have appealed to Governor Chukwuma Soludo to intervene in what they describe as persistent multiple taxation, illegal extortion, and harassment allegedly being carried out by touts and some government officials across the state.

Under the umbrella of the Anambra Keke Drivers Forum (AKDF), the operators said that despite the governor’s earlier assurance that payment of approved statutory taxes would exempt them from further levies, they continue to face numerous charges imposed by both state agencies and alleged illegal revenue collectors.

Speaking with journalists, the Chairman of the forum, Comrade Ifeanyi Okafor, said the situation has become unbearable, alleging that touts still operate freely at parks, loading points, and along major roads despite the establishment of the state’s Anti Touting Agency to eliminate illegal revenue collection.

According to him, tricycle operators are compelled to pay between ₦400 and ₦1,000 daily to touts in addition to approved government charges. He alleged that at Amawbia Express Park, operators pay ₦300 per loading and another ₦200 as a booking fee. At Ifitedunu in Dunukofia Local Government Area, he claimed riders are made to pay a ₦200 daily welfare levy and another ₦200 charge whose purpose remains unclear.

Okafor further alleged that in Ichida, operators are forced to pay ₦1,000 daily to individuals accompanied by heavily built men, while riders at Kwata Park reportedly pay ₦400 every day. He also claimed that at Eze Uzu Agu in Awka, operators are compelled to pay ₦300 daily along the road in addition to the officially approved loading fee.

He expressed disappointment that reports made to the Anti Touting Agency have allegedly yielded little or no action, adding that many operators now suspect some members of the enforcement team have compromised and are working with the touts. These allegations have not been independently verified.

The AKDF chairman also accused the state government of introducing several mandatory requirements that continue to increase the financial burden on tricycle operators. According to him, these include the Security Jacket, Smart Rider’s Permit, Security Profiling, Security Colour Code, Security Enrolment, T Code, U Code, H Code and other related documentation, all of which require additional payments.

He argued that tricycle transportation was introduced as a poverty alleviation initiative designed to create employment opportunities for low income earners, stressing that many riders entered the business out of necessity rather than choice.

Okafor also criticized the law requiring commercial motorcycle, tricycle and bus operators to wear security identification jackets. While acknowledging that the policy was introduced to strengthen security and improve passenger confidence, he maintained that the financial implications on operators were not adequately considered.

He noted that operators had already undergone government profiling before receiving their T Codes and questioned the need for additional security documentation that attracts fresh charges.

Recalling Governor Soludo’s promise to protect commercial transport operators from illegal collections, Okafor said many riders now feel disappointed by what they describe as the continued activities of touts and increasing government obligations.

“We are paying through our sweat, yet government continues to introduce one policy after another that keeps impoverishing us. We work every day under the sun and in the rain, only to end up servicing both government revenue demands and illegal touts. Keke riding is not a job anyone willingly chooses. It is simply a means of survival in this difficult economy,” he said.

The forum also appealed to the governor to approve the establishment of an independent union exclusively for registered tricycle operators, arguing that such a body would improve accountability, discipline and security within the sector. Okafor further called for democratic elections to produce the leadership of the union.

He equally urged the state government to review the ₦10,000 renewal fee for Keke particulars, describing it as excessive when compared with the earnings of tricycle operators. He argued that buses and tricycles should not be subjected to the same renewal charges because of their different operating capacities.

Okafor further alleged that under the previous tax collection system managed by Transpay, operators paid only for the days they worked. However, he claimed that since Oasis assumed responsibility for tax collection, riders are expected to continue making payments even when they are ill or when their tricycles are undergoing repairs.

As of the time of filing this report, the Anambra State Government and the agencies mentioned had not issued an official response to the allegations raised by the Anambra Keke Drivers Forum.