Monday July 13, 2026
www.thenewsdesk.ng
… Says Policy Could Tarnish Governor’s Image
By Uwakmfon UMOEKA
The Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Akwa Ibom State Council, Comrade Elder Sunny James, has strongly criticized the State Commissioner for Transport, Dr. Anthony Luke, over the proposed ₦100,000 operational levy for dispatch riders in the state, describing the policy as insensitive, anti-people, and capable of portraying Governor Pastor Umo Eno in a negative light.
Speaking during a live interview on XL 106.9 FM, Uyo, the NLC Chairman traced the history of operational permit charges imposed on dispatch riders in Akwa Ibom State, highlighting what he described as an alarming and unjustifiable pattern of increments.
According to him, under the administration of the former Commissioner for Transport, Mr. Orman Esin, dispatch riders paid ₦15,000 for their operational permits in 2023. The fee was increased to ₦20,000 in 2024, and further reviewed upward to ₦30,000 in 2025. However, at the beginning of 2026, the Ministry proposed a staggering ₦100,000 levy.
James argued that such a sharp increase reflects inconsistency in government policy and creates the impression that every new occupant of the ministry is at liberty to introduce arbitrary charges without considering the economic realities faced by ordinary citizens.
”If other states of the federation are charging around ₦25,000, how do we justify moving from ₦30,000 to ₦100,000? That is insensitive to our citizens and completely unacceptable,” he said.
The labour leader commended Governor Umo Eno for his commitment to entrepreneurship, youth empowerment, and the growth of small and medium-scale enterprises (SMEs). He maintained that the proposed levy contradicts the Governor’s people-oriented vision and could undermine the administration’s achievements.
He further noted that a significant percentage of dispatch riders in Akwa Ibom State are educated young Nigerians striving to earn a legitimate living.
”If you bring 100 dispatch riders in Akwa Ibom State today, about 70 of them are graduates. These are young people who have chosen to work hard rather than engage in crime or other social vices. Imposing a ₦100,000 levy on them before they can operate is nothing short of economic strangulation. It is unacceptable to organized labour.”
James stressed that commissioners are representatives of the Governor in their respective ministries, and therefore, every policy introduced by a ministry inevitably reflects on the image of the state government.
”Governor Umo Eno has consistently demonstrated compassion through people-centred policies and inclusive governance. Policies that place unnecessary hardship on struggling young entrepreneurs do not reflect the Governor’s philosophy and risk portraying his administration in a bad light,” he added.
Addressing recent comments reportedly made by the Commissioner for Transport describing dispatch riders as criminals, the NLC Chairman firmly rejected the characterization, insisting that criminality should never be generalized to an entire profession.
He stated that any dispatch rider found transporting illicit substances or engaging in criminal activities should be apprehended and prosecuted by the appropriate security agencies in accordance with the law. However, he emphasized that security and criminal investigations fall within the jurisdiction of law enforcement agencies—not the Ministry of Transport.
James concluded by calling on the Akwa Ibom State Government to immediately reconsider the proposed levy and engage relevant stakeholders, including organized labour and representatives of the dispatch riders’ community, before implementing any policy affecting their livelihoods.
He warned that policies perceived as oppressive or disconnected from the prevailing economic realities could erode public confidence and unnecessarily create tension between government and hardworking citizens.
The NLC Chairman reaffirmed organized labour’s commitment to protecting workers, young entrepreneurs, and vulnerable groups from policies that threaten their means of livelihood, while urging the government to prioritize dialogue, fairness, and economic inclusion over excessive taxation.
NLC Chairman Blasts Akwa Ibom Transport Commissioner Over Proposed ₦100,000 Levy on Dispatch Riders
