Commercial Drivers Protest High Levies in Edo State

Strategic Insights -

Protesting commercial drivers in Benin City, Nigeria, converged on the Central Park to demand a reduction in levies imposed by the state government. The drivers, many of whom rely on the park as a primary loading point, expressed dismay at the recent increase from N800 to N1,600. This comes after a brief reduction prior to the elections, where the governor lowered the levy to N800. The drivers assert that operating costs have increased, making it challenging to meet the N1,600 requirement. They emphasized that their counterparts operating outside the park pay significantly less, N800, despite often loading more passengers.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Edo State government has increased the levy on commercial drivers from N800 to N1,600, causing significant financial strain.
  • The drivers are protesting the disparity in levies, citing that those operating outside the park pay N800, while those within the park pay N1,600.
  • The governor had previously reduced the levy to N800 prior to the elections, only to reinstate the original amount after the election.
  • Drivers within the park claim they hardly run more than two trips in a day due to competition from drivers loading passengers along the road.
  • The Edo State government has been urged to intervene and address the issue by stopping unauthorized loading outside the park.

Statistics:

  • The levy on commercial drivers has increased from N800 to N1,600, totaling an additional N800 per driver.
  • The average daily operating cost for drivers within the park has increased due to the higher levy.
  • Prior to the elections, the governor reduced the levy to N800, followed by an increase to N1,600 post-election.
  • The disparity in levies between drivers operating within and outside the park stands at N800.
  • Drivers operating within the park report making fewer trips due to competition from other drivers.

Sources:

  • Edo State government
  • Osaro Ekhioagbon, representative of the protesting drivers
  • Lucky Adeyan Okpowman, President of the Drivers Welfare Empowerment Scheme