Delta: How controversial levies by DESTMA, Ekpan Chairman, inflate transport fares by 100 percent

Exclusive dig-deep by Fresh Angle International, has revealed how controversially inflated levies by officials of Delta State Traffic Management Authority, DESTMA, Chairman of Ekpan Community Youth and touts (Agberos) has inflated transportation fares from Express Junction, Ekpan in Uvwie Local Government Area, to densely populated communities in Warri South and Okpe Local Government Areas by a 100%.

Our Senior Correspondent, who did under-cover investigation Monday March 16, reports that the commercial tricycle riders plying the Express Junction, Ekpan to Jeddo, Ughoton, Ugbokodo, Omadino, Obodo and Ubeji Communities in Okpe and Warri South Local Government Areas, claimed that the recent hike in their transport fares by a 100%, was as a result of controversial and inflated daily levies, allegedly imposed on them by officials of DESTMA and the youth chairman of Ekpan Community alongside his foot-soldiers (Agberos).

The commercial tricycle riders told Your Rising International Tabloid that each of them are compelled to pay N500 to the Ekpan youth chairman, N600 to the Agberos and N100 to officials of DESTMA daily, totaling N1,200 per day.

Fresh Angle International can also report that due to the obnoxious levies, transport fare from the Express Junction in Ekpan to Jeddo in Okpe Local Government Area, on tricycle (keke) which usually costs N50, is now N100 per passenger.      

Some of the keke operators, who spoke on condition of anonymity, explained that in a bid to recover the excess levies, they decided to increase their fares by 100%, hence making commuters to suffer the burden of the huge daily multiple taxation.  

The youths who collect the seemingly unlawful levies, reportedly boasted that Delta State Government cannot do them anything, saying, “the collections have come to stay”.

Meanwhile, several passengers were seen yesterday (Monday March 16) evening, trekking from the Express Junction, Ekpan toward Jeddo and its  neigbouring communities, due to hike in the transport fare.

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