Commercial motorcycle riders in Nsukka, Enugu State, have protested against the continued collection of a N400 daily electronic ticket, days after Governor Peter Mbah announced relief from daily transport levies.
The riders took to the streets on Tuesday and marched to the Nsukka Local Government Council headquarters to express their frustration over the payment, which they said had become difficult to sustain amid the rising cost of living.
In a video circulating online, the protesters were heard demanding an end to the daily charge and warning against anyone insisting that they pay it.
The protest followed Mbah’s recent announcement at a political rally that the N750 daily ticket for commercial tricycle operators, popularly known as Keke riders, had been abolished. However, reports indicated that some tricycle riders were still being asked to pay N350 daily.
The latest demonstration by motorcycle riders over a separate N400 e-ticket has raised concerns about the implementation of the governor’s promised relief.
The Nigeria Democratic Congress in Enugu State criticised the continued collection of the levies, accusing the governor of making announcements that had not resulted in complete relief for commercial transport operators.
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In a statement signed by Sampson Ukwu, media aide to the party’s governorship candidate, Christian Chinyeaka Ohaa, the party questioned why riders were still facing daily payments despite the governor’s declaration.
The party also raised concerns over the case of Friday Nwobodo, a motorcycle rider whose body reportedly remains in a mortuary following his death at the Gariki Terminal. According to the party, his family is still awaiting justice and support.
The NDC accused the state government of failing to adequately address the concerns of transport operators and urged Mbah to review the policies and advice guiding his public announcements.
The party further called on the governor to prepare for a possible transfer of power to its candidate, Ohaa, although the statement represented the party’s political position.
The circumstances surrounding the continued collection of the N400 e-ticket in Nsukka and the government’s response to the protest were not provided in the report.
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