Motorcyclists threaten to protest against levy
Commercial motorcycle operators in Zamfara have threatened to demonstrate against the police if they continue to collect the N20 levy meant to purchase equipment for them.
The presidential committee on police equipment in collaboration with the commercial motorcycle operators union leaders collects N20 levy from each member daily as their contribution toward the project.
One of the aggrieved motorcycle operators told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), on Monday in Gusau on condition of anonymity, that commercial motorcyclists in the state were ready to go to any length to stop the ``illegal levy.''
According to him, they have already perfected plans to stage a peaceful demonstration next week to protest the levy which they described as ``another form'' of exploitation perpetrated against their members.
``We have made several complaints to our leaders about this N20 levy, but to no avail,'' he said, adding ``our members have now resolved to resist this form of exploitation,'' he added.
The commercial motorcycle operators, who alleged their leaders connived with the police to exploit them, called on the state Commissioner of Police, Alhaji Sale Abubakar, to intervene in the interest of peace and fair play.
When contacted, the command's Public Relations Officer, Lawal Abdullahi, an Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP), said the N20 levy was not compulsory.
``I want to tell you that the levy is not compulsory on anybody, but voluntary,'', he said adding ``if one feels he can give more than N20, he is free to do so, but he is expected to pay only once.''