By Frank Edima
Motorcyclists in Bakassi local government area of Cross River State have protested the N100 daily tax introduced by the Ministry of Transport and Marine Services.
The cyclists popularly known as “Okada riders” recently blocked Calabar-Ikang road during a peaceful protest against the new levy.
According to Desmond Eke, one of the riders, “I was blocked along this road by two men who claimed to be government tax collectors. They said I should pay One Hundred Naira (N100.00) and collect the ticket before I pass but I told him I have not experienced that kind of a thing before and won’t pay”.
During the heat of the protest, Leader of the Bakassi Legislative Council, Hon. Inok Otu Ita who was at the scene advised the protesters to maintain peace and order in their protest as the protesters kept chanting “We no go gree oo, we no go gree”.
Hon. Inok also agreed told CrossRiverWatch that the ticket was forced on the bikers and promised to take up the matter.
It will be recalled that Governor Ayade has announced several times in public that artisans and low income earners including bike riders, are exempted from taxes in the state. He has also sent an executive bill to that effect to the House of Assembly for passage into law.