Business
Keke Operators Protest MultipleTaxation
Thousands of workers, traders and other commuters trekked to their different places of engagement on Monday in Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State capital, as aggrieved tricycle popularly called “Keke” operators embarked on stay-at-home protests.
The keke operators are protesting heavy taxation imposed on them by Bayelsa State Government, complaining that the recent imposition of N6,500 payment on them through the state Ministry of Transport for “security numbers” was one tax too many.
It was gathered that the Keke riders took the decision to carry out the action at a meeting they held in Yenagoa at the weekend.
The action which began effectively at 7:00am Monday caused transportation difficulties for commuters in the state capital as the tricycle operators stayed off the roads.
School children, civil servants, workers in private organisations, traders, security personnel and shop owners, among others, were seen stranded at bus stops along the Mbiama-Yenagoa Road, Isaac Boro Expressway and junctions of major streets in Yenagoa.
Many trekked long distances to get to their destination as very few taxis plying the poorly networked roads and streets used the opportunity to hike their fares.
Detachments of security personnel, especially policemen patrolled the city in show of force, blaring sirens indiscriminately thereby causing tensions and anxiety among residents.
It was observed that the Government House area along the Mbiama-Yenagoa Road was cordoned off with over six security patrol vans and an armoured personnel carrier manned by soldiers.
The security measure was aimed at preventing the Keke riders from taking their protest to the seat of power should they decide to take to the streets.
Some of the Keke operators who were monitoring compliance by their members were picked up by the police in various parts of Yenagoa, sources said.
Welfare chairman of the Keke Riders Association, Okafor Jonah, said the Ministry of Transport had in 2013 subjected them to the registration for the same security numbers for which they paid N2,500.
Condemning the arrests of some of their members, he said they do not understand the reason behind the new levy of N6,500 slammed on them by the government.
“We obtained security numbers in 2013 with the sum of N2,500 from the Ministry of Transport. Now, the same Ministry of Transport is still the one bringing the same security number at the cost of N6,500. It is unacceptable”, he said.
He said that besides the Ministry of Transport, government agencies like the environmental sanitation authority, local government councils, and the road transport unions also charge them various forms of levies.
Jonah lamented that government and security agents also harass them and extort an average of N1,500 over the fading off of the state’s colour on their tricycles, among other sundry impositions.
“Payment of tuition fees for undergraduate/postgraduate studies shall be subject to a maximum limit of $25,000.00 per semester,” the Manual states.
The expansion of international card limits also reflects growing confidence among lenders that foreign exchange liquidity has improved enough to support retail dollar transactions.
Speaking recently at the BusinessDay 14th Annual CEO Forum in Lagos, CBN Olayemi Cardoso, governor of the CBN said buying and selling activities now increasingly determine outcomes in the foreign exchange market, unlike in the past when market participants relied heavily on routine Central Bank interventions.
According to Cardoso, Nigeria’s net foreign exchange reserves have risen from just over $3 billion at the start of the reform programme to more than $40 billion, while gross reserves have climbed to about $52 billion, providing stronger confidence for investors and enabling the Central Bank to reserve interventions for periods of market stress rather than day-to-day liquidity management.
The restoration and expansion of international naira card spending limits are increasingly being seen as one of the clearest signs that the benefits of the CBN’s foreign exchange reforms are beginning to reach households, students and businesses making legitimate cross-border payments.
The Secretary-General and Chief Executive Officer, WEC, Dr Angela Wilkinson, disclosed this in a statement, last Thursday.
“Nigeria’s participation comes at a pivotal time as the country seeks to expand energy access, strengthen energy security, accelerate gas development and mobilise the capital required for industrialisation and sustainable economic growth.
“WEC Nigeria will convene leaders from across the energy ecosystem, apply the WEC’s globally recognised Energy Trilemma framework to Nigeria’s unique context, and promote evidence-based dialogue, practical collaboration and informed policymaking.
“It will also ensure that Nigerian and broader African perspectives contribute meaningfully to global energy conversations,” she said.
Wilkinson expressed confidence that Nigeria would play a significant leadership role at the World Energy Congress scheduled for Riyadh in April 2027 and beyond.
The statement also quoted the Chairman of WEC Nigeria, Isa, as describing the country’s participation as an opportunity to deepen national and African leadership within the global energy community through practical solutions tailored to regional development priorities.
He said the platform would promote collaboration across sectors and attract sustainable investments into Nigeria’s energy sector.
The Chief Executive Officer of WEC Nigeria, Wunti, was quoted in the statement as saying that the council would connect leadership, evidence and investment to build a secure, affordable and sustainable energy system.
“This system will be capable of driving economic growth and shared prosperity.”
According to him, the platform will also connect Nigerian institutions and businesses with international knowledge, technology, partnerships and investment opportunities through the World Energy Council’s global network.
Recall that WEC, founded in 1923, is the world’s oldest independent and impartial community of energy leaders and practitioners, advancing informed, collaborative and practical action across the global energy system.