𝗢𝗽𝗲𝗻 𝗟𝗲𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗣𝗲𝘁𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗔𝗴𝗮𝗶𝗻𝘀𝘁 𝗠𝘂𝗹𝘁𝗶𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝗧𝗮𝘅𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗘𝘅𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗼𝗳 𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗻𝘀𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁 𝗢𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗼𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝗦𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝗗𝗲𝗹𝘁𝗮 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗲- 𝗧𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗼𝗻𝗴𝗼𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝘁𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗰𝗮𝗻 𝗯𝗲 𝗔𝘃𝗼𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗱
𝐇𝐢𝐬 𝐄𝐱𝐜𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐲, 𝐑𝐭 𝐇𝐨𝐧.(𝐄𝐥𝐝𝐞𝐫) 𝐒𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐟𝐟. 𝐅.𝐎. 𝐎𝐛𝐨𝐫𝐞𝐯𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐢,
Executive Governor, Delta State,
Government House, Asaba, Delta State
Your Excellency,
“𝗧𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗼𝗻𝗴𝗼𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝘁𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗰𝗮𝗻 𝗯𝗲 𝗮𝘃𝗼𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗱…”
With the highest sense of responsibility and in the interest of justice, we, the undersigned, on behalf of transport operators and other concerned Deltans, write to formally bring to your attention the ongoing issues of 𝐦𝐮𝐥𝐭𝐢𝐩𝐥𝐞 𝐭𝐚𝐱𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 and extortion within Delta State, particularly as it affects drivers and other business operators.
In the year 2024, the Ministry of Transport introduced a verification sticker for code verification, which was mandated for purchase at a cost of five thousand naira (₦5,000). However, to our utmost dismay, in 2025, the Ministry has reintroduced the same sticker, now at an increased cost of six thousand naira (₦6,000). This is unacceptable and amounts to undue exploitation of the hardworking drivers who have already complied with the previous payment. Verification codes are not meant to be duplicated or renewed multiple times unless there are justifiable reasons.
The drivers have strongly rejected this unlawful imposition, as it contradicts the principles of fairness and transparency. Unfortunately, rather than addressing their legitimate grievances, a task force has now been deployed to enforce compliance, harass, and intimidate drivers. This development is worrisome as it has the potential to lead to violent confrontations between drivers and enforcement agents, causing public unrest and economic disruption. We seek urgent intervention to prevent such an occurrence.
The affected drivers initially planned to embark on a protest to express their dissatisfaction. However, the 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐠 𝐍𝐢𝐠𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐚𝐧 𝐑𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬 𝐎𝐫𝐠𝐚𝐧𝐢𝐳𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 has intervened and advised them against such action, emphasizing that there are better ways to engage in dialogue and communicate grievances effectively. This proactive measure was taken to prevent any breakdown of law and order while ensuring that their concerns are addressed lawfully.
Your Excellency, this case of extortion is not limited to the transport sector alone. Other sectors, including waste management, environmental services, and the Board of Internal Revenue, have also been imposing 𝐦𝐮𝐥𝐭𝐢𝐩𝐥𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐚𝐱𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 on citizens. Business owners and individuals have continuously complained about the confusion created by multiple representatives from these ministries, departments, and agencies (𝗠𝗗𝗔𝘀) enforcing different levies.
This situation directly contradicts your administration’s promise to eliminate 𝐦𝐮𝐥𝐭𝐢𝐩𝐥𝐞 𝐭𝐚𝐱𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 in Delta State. We urge you to take immediate action to:
1. 𝐇𝐚𝐥𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐮𝐧𝐣𝐮𝐬𝐭 𝐫𝐞-𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐟𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐤𝐞𝐫 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐫𝐞𝐟𝐮𝐧𝐝 𝐚𝐧𝐲 𝐦𝐨𝐧𝐞𝐲 𝐮𝐧𝐥𝐚𝐰𝐟𝐮𝐥𝐥𝐲 𝐜𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐞𝐝.
2. 𝐀𝐝𝐝𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐭𝐚𝐬𝐤 𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐜𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐚𝐧𝐲 𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐦 𝐨𝐟 𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐬𝐬𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐨𝐫 𝐯𝐢𝐨𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐚𝐠𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐬𝐭 𝐝𝐫𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐬.
3. 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐭 𝐚 𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡 𝐫𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐚𝐱𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐩𝐨𝐥𝐢𝐜𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐚𝐜𝐫𝐨𝐬𝐬 𝐯𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐨𝐮𝐬 𝐌𝐃𝐀’𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐦𝐮𝐥𝐭𝐢𝐩𝐥𝐞 𝐭𝐚𝐱𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐦𝐨𝐧𝐢𝐳𝐞 𝐥𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐬.
4. 𝐈𝐦𝐩𝐥𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐚 𝐜𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐫 𝐟𝐫𝐚𝐦𝐞𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐤 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐞𝐧𝐬𝐮𝐫𝐞𝐬 𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐬𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐲 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐚𝐜𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐛𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐚𝐱 𝐜𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧, 𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐮𝐞 𝐞𝐱𝐩𝐥𝐨𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐨𝐟 𝐃𝐞𝐥𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐬.
Your Excellency, we trust in your commitment to justice and good governance and believe you will take necessary measures to rectify this pressing issue. We look forward to your swift intervention and a response that reflects the will of the people of Delta State.
𝗧𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗸 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗱 𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗺𝗽𝘁 𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻.
Yours Faithfully,
𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗿𝗮𝗱𝗲 𝗩𝗶𝗰𝘁𝗼𝗿 𝗢𝗷𝗲𝗶
𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗱 𝗔𝗰𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗶𝘀𝘁 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗴 𝗡𝗶𝗴𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗮𝗻 𝗥𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁𝘀 𝗢𝗿𝗴𝗮𝗻𝗶𝘇𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻.
Cc:
𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗛𝗼𝗻𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗶𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗲𝗿 𝗠𝗶𝗻𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗿𝘆 𝗼𝗳 𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗻𝘀𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁, 𝗗𝗲𝗹𝘁𝗮 𝘀𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗲.
𝗛𝗼𝗻𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗶𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗲𝗿,𝗠𝗶𝗻𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗿𝘆 𝗼𝗳 𝗲𝗻𝘃𝗶𝗿𝗼𝗻𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁, 𝗗𝗲𝗹𝘁𝗮 𝘀𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗲.
𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗶𝗿𝗺𝗮𝗻, 𝗪𝗮𝘀𝘁𝗲 𝗠𝗮𝗻𝗮𝗴𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗕𝗼𝗮𝗿𝗱 𝗔𝘀𝗮𝗯𝗮,𝗗𝗲𝗹𝘁𝗮 𝘀𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗲.
𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗶𝗿𝗺𝗮𝗻, 𝗕𝗼𝗮𝗿𝗱 𝗼𝗳 𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗥𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗻𝘂𝗲, 𝗔𝘀𝗮𝗯𝗮, 𝗗𝗲𝗹𝘁𝗮 𝘀𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗲.