By Ejoor Onoharigho
Delta State Commissioner for Transport Mr Onoriode Agofure has called on members of the Commercial Motorcycle and Tricycle Operators Association (COMTOA) to operate and maintain status quo before the stoppage of the project and to work in accordance with the rules of engagement.
Agofure made the call in an all important meeting he held between the Ministry and COMTOA as they supervise their activities across the State.
According to the Commissioner, the meeting was in line with the State Government’s lifting of the suspension on the sales of Daily Road Tax for Commercial Motorcycle (Okada) and Tricycle (Keke) across the State.
COMTOA is the only recognized body authorised to manage and collect Daily Road Tax from operators on behalf of the Delta State Government.
Agofure said the approved Daily Road Tax for Commercial Motorcycle (Okada) is Two Hundred Naira (N200) while the Tricycle (keke) is Three Hundred Naira (N300).
He disclosed that the Association has been authorised to enforce compliance with the State colour code of blue and white for Tricycle as well as to check for the Unique Identification Code Numbers on Tricycles
The Association he said is to also apprehend violators of the ban on Motorcycle Operators in the restricted areas of Asaba, Effurun and Warri.
The Transport Commissioner added that the sales of Daily Road Tax for Commercial Motorcycle and Tricycle Operators commenced on Monday, January 8, 2024, across the State .
He stressed that Motorcycle and Tricycle Operators are required to strictly adhere to the operating hours of 6am–8pm daily for Motorcycles in unrestricted areas and 6am –10 daily for Tricycle riders.
Agofure warned that Government would deal decisively with any group or individuals that may engage in the act of illegal sales of the Daily Road Tax to Operators in any guise in the State.
The Police and other law enforcement agents he revealed have been told to arrest and persecute violators accordingly.
The Special Adviser to the Delta State Governor on Transportation Chief Jaro Egbo, the Special Assistant to the Transport Commissioner, Engr Austin Odiete, advised members of COMTOA to avoid rancour and work as a team.
Earlier, the Treasurer of COMTOA, Comrade Miller Okeoghene commended the Delta State Governor, Rt Hon Sheriff Oborevwori for lifting the suspension of the sales of Daily Road Tax, saying that they would operate within the stipulated rules of engagement.
He noted that their monitoring activities would curb criminal minded individuals and impostors in the Transport sector as well as boosting the State Internally Generated Revenue (IGR).
