Okada Riders reject E-ticketing, petition Gov. Nwifuru over alleged excessive extortion by IGR board in Ebonyi

By Uchenna Okeh Abakaliki 

Okada Riders Association in Ebonyi state has petitioned governor Francis Nwifuru over alleged excessive extortion and however, rejected the introduction of E-ticketing by the State internally Generated Revenue service, IGR, describing it as a scam.

Recall that, Okada Riders association recently protested against the multiple taxation and E-ticketing that was introduced by the state board of internal revenue service, and thereby barricaded the entrance of the board located at Saint Patrick kpirikpiri to demand for the immediate cancellation of the E-ticketing collection in the state.

The Nations News Nigeria reports that some members and workers of the association were arrested by the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Crops, NSCDC, over alleged selling of illegal okada tickets across Abakaliki metropolis.

The Chairman of Okada riders Association Ebonyi State Chapter, Ekuma Nicholas who spoke to newsmen in Abakaliki said the state board of internal Revenue service alleged that the arrested workers were selling illegal IGR tickets.

But, Ekuma argued that their association knows nothing about the said illegal IGR collection and urged the Ebonyi state internal revenue service to retrieve the revenue collection contract from unknown persons and award it to someone they know very well.

He lamented that the Ebonyi State Internal Revenue service is mandating all okada riders in the State to cue into E-Ticking from Monday to Saturday, adding that they don’t know what is E-ticking and should be scrapped because it’s anti people in the state.

Ekuma, however called for the next intervention of the governor, Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru, noting that Okada riders are the most less privileged that are struggling to get their daily bread on daily bases.

He applauded governor Francis Nwifuru for his human face polices in Ebonyi State, and as well, the member representing Ikwo Ezza South federal constituency, Chinedu Ogah, who later intervened, and ensured the release of their members who were arrested by NSCDC.

In their separate reactions; Mr. Mike Ajah Chairman Okada Riders Ebonyi LGA,  Mr. Emmanuel Nkwede Chairman Okada riders Abakaliki LGA, condemned the multiple taxation and urged the governor, Francis Nwifuru to prevail on the state board of internal revenue service from enforcing E-ticketing on Okada riders Union in the state.

Other executives; One Chineme a Security officer Okada riders Ebonyi State, Mr. Eze Eze provost, Origbo Sunday Financial Secretary and many others called for the intervention of governor, stressing that the E-ticketing will subject an Okada Rider to pay levy when you are working and when are not working, noting that such will increase hardship and pains on them.

Efforts to get the reaction of the chairman of the Ebonyi state internal revenue service, Christopher Omo-Isu proved abortive as he refused to pick up calls or reply messages sent to him at the time of filing this report.