By Valentine Amanze, Online Editor
The Edo State government has commenced enforcement of the Edo State Riders Permit and other documentation for all categories of tricycles and motorcycles operating within the state.
The state-wide exercise began at Nomayo, Abiko and Okabere parks in Ikpoba-Okha Local Government Area of Edo State.
The enforcement exercise is strengthened with the support of a mobile court. which prosecutes defaulters, who operate without the permit.
Leader of the enforcement team and Director of Transport, Edo State Ministry of Infrastructure, Mr. George Aghahowa, said that the enforcement was in line with the state government’s transportation policy and measures taken to sanitize the transport sub-sector as well as address security issues associated with tricycle and motorcycle riders in Edo.
His words: “The state government, through the state Ministry of Infrastructure, in 2020, embarked on a massive awareness and sensitization campaign of all commercial riders in the three senatorial districts of the state and wondered why some riders would yet feign ignorance of the project meant to benefit them.”
The Executive Chairman, Edo State Internal Revenue (EIRS), Mr Igninidu Inneh, however, debunked the insinuations that the riders’ permit project was for revenue purpose.
He said: “The Riders’ Permit is not a revenue drive but an enumeration exercise basically to properly identify riders and operators of motorcycles and tricycles in Edo State.
“The scheme has an element of tax for benefit which provides insurance cover in terms of medical care for the rider in case of accidents.”
Also, the Executive Director, Tax Compliance, Emmanuel Okodugha, explained that the Revenue Service was to ensure commercial tricycle and motorcycle riders comply by possessing the relevant riding particulars such as Class A rider license and registration particulars.
But the Chairman of Okabere tricycle park, in Ikpoba Okha council, Kingsley Odili, expressed appreciation to the government for the initiative, which comes with insurance benefits for the riders ranging from fifty thousand to two hundred and fifty thousand naira for minor injury, permanent disability and death.
