Tricycle Operators Block Parts of Agbani Road, Demand Clarity on Governor Mbah’s Directive.
Enugu Media Village (EMV), the Most Updated Online News Platform — October 28, 2026.
COMMERCIAL TRICYCLE operators in Enugu State on Wednesday staged a protest over an alleged attempt to reinstate daily ticketing charges previously discontinued by Governor Peter Ndubuisi Mbah.
According to a report by The News Tarmac, members of the Tricycle Owners Association of Nigeria (TOAN) blocked parts of the Enugu metropolis, including the Akwuke Junction axis of Agbani Road, to express their opposition to the proposed collection of the levies.
The protest reportedly followed claims by some operators that task force members, accompanied by police personnel, had informed them that payments to local government authorities and the union would resume on Wednesday. The riders also alleged that two of their colleagues had been arrested after refusing to pay, prompting them to block the road while demanding their release.
Speaking during the protest, a unit chairman, Elochukwu Ogbonna, maintained that Governor Mbah had announced the discontinuation of the ₦750 daily ticket for commercial tricycle operators at an event held at Okpara Square.
Disagreement Over Government, Local Government and Union Levies
The development has exposed a disagreement over the scope of the governor’s directive and whether it covers all daily charges or only the levy collected on behalf of the state government.
TOAN Enugu State Chairman, Comrade Joshua Nwafor, reportedly opposed any attempt to continue collecting the disputed charges, urging members to comply with the governor’s announcement as he understood it.
Nwafor alleged that the association’s former chairman, Comrade Kingsley Edeh, was seeking to enforce payments of ₦250 attributed to the local government and ₦100 attributed to the union, despite the reported cancellation of the state government’s daily ticket.
These allegations have not been independently verified.
Former Chairman, Revenue Authority Offer Different Interpretations
Edeh, however, reportedly maintained that the governor’s directive applied only to the state government’s daily ticket and did not abolish local government levies or union dues.
He defended the union’s authority to collect dues from its members and disputed Nwafor’s claim to the association’s leadership, citing an ongoing disagreement over the union’s administration.
Meanwhile, the Chairman of the Enugu State Internal Revenue Service, Mr. Emmanuel Ekene Nnamani, reportedly rejected allegations of collusion and insisted that the governor had only discontinued the state government’s levy.
The conflicting interpretations have heightened tensions among tricycle operators, leaving questions about the applicable charges and the implementation of the governor’s directive.
Need for Clear Communication and Consistent Enforcement
The protest underscores the importance of clear communication between the state government, local government authorities, transport unions and enforcement agencies to prevent confusion over approved levies.
A definitive clarification from the relevant authorities would help establish which payments, if any, remain lawful, reduce the risk of disputes between operators and enforcement personnel, and ensure that government directives are implemented consistently.
For commercial tricycle operators whose daily earnings support their families and business expenses, clarity on the applicable charges is essential to their livelihoods and the smooth movement of passengers across Enugu State.
Enugu Media Village (EMV), the Most Updated Online News Platform, remains committed to promoting accountability, public participation, transparency and good governance.