By SADIQ ABUBAKAR, Maiduguri-
The Tricycle Owners Association of Nigeria (TOAN) popularly known as “Keke Napep” operators in Maiduguri Metropolis have appealed to the Borno State Government to grant its members a tax waiver during the holy month of Ramadan Fast.
The association, which enjoined the State Government, through The Chief of Staff to the Governor, Professor Hussaini Isa Marte and State Ministry of Transport to waive tax payment on its members over the weekends, particularly on Saturdays and Sundays which are considered work free days.
The Borno State Chairman of TOAN, Comrade Aliyu Audu Shuaibu disclosed this on Sunday, while addressing Local Government Councils and Branch executive members of the association at its first State Executive Council (EXCO) meeting held in the association’s state office located at Kumshe Shopping Complex, Maiduguiri.
Comrady Shuaibu explained that the period of Ramadan being a period quite distinct from other months of Islamic calendar, require some level of patience, tolerance and special prayers that may not enable the members to work daily as usual like other days and month, while appealing for tax waiver during the holy month.
According to him: “Even if it is going to be 50 percent reduction from the N100 daily tax on each tricycle, our members will be grateful to th State Government for 50% tax waiver if 100% tax waiver can not be achievable.”
“In the state now, we have on record about 24,000 direct Keke NAPEP owners/riders who are direct owners/operators and 74,000 indirect owners/ riders who gets favours from the owners (Yan Dani) that relief direct owners whenever they are tired or sick or other work to do” Aliyu said.
He further assured the leaders and members of TOAN that all their demands would be treated and channeled accordingly in due course to the state Governor through appropriate channels of communication and not by protest
The Chairman also urged members to see amicable dialogue and resort to peaceful negotiation as the best way to resolve their industrial disputes with any organisation, instead of embarking on unorganized protest .
Comrade Aliyu further condemned the recent demonstration embarked upon by the tricycle operators which according to him, was planned by some unknown illegal associations on the 24th of March, 2021, the day of their first proposed state congress.
“We should be mindful that Borno state is still passing through extreme challenges of economic meltdown, brought about by the Boko Haram insurgency. We should not allow the efforts being put in place by Borno State Governor, Babagana Umara Zulum to fail”.
“We are pleased to inform you that we have written to Governor Zulum on your complaints of waiving the daily dues being paid by tricycle owners and operators for the month of Ramadan, to ease your burdens as your business in the month of Ramadan would not be as unsual, and we are confident that the Governor will look into our appeal,” Aliyu said.