The PDP group has slammed the Akwa Ibom government over the new transport ticket policy

A group under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) which supports Peace and Justice, has criticized the Akwa Ibom State government over the recent directives issued on the transport sector in the state.

The new policy mandates biometric registration and a unified ticketing system for commercial tricycles and minibuses across the state.

The group in a statement signed by its Chairman, Tom FredFish, and Secretary, Savior Uko, and released in Uyo on Sunday, said the move was insensitive, and a tax burden in disguise on citizens already experiencing hardship.

The directive issued by the Akwa Ibom State Ministry of Transportation in collaboration with the Akwa Ibom State Internal Revenue Service is expected to come into effect on Monday, March 16, 2026.

The government has made it clear that this aims to strengthen revenue administration and improve documentation of commercial transport operators in the state.

However, the group, in its statement, said: “PDP Advocates for Peace and Justice (PAPA-J) strongly condemns the recent directive issued by the Akwa Ibom State Ministry of Transport in collaboration with AKIRS, which mandates immediate biometric registration and a unified ticketing system for commercial tricycles and minibuses across the state.

“While the government may view this as administrative or technological reform, it is abundantly clear that this is a disguised tax burden falling on the already suffering citizens of Akwa Ibom State.

READ ALSO: ‘Investigate alleged ₦5.9 billion spent to change name of NNPC to NNPCL’, SERAP tells Tinubu

“At a time when workers and citizens are struggling against unprecedented economic hardship, it is extremely insensitive for the Umo Eno government to implement policies that will ultimately increase transportation costs and worsen living conditions.”

“Instead of addressing the underlying problems in the transportation sector, the government chose the easier route of taxing operators and indirectly shifting the burden to society,” the statement added.

PAPA-J emphasized that commercial tricycle operators, also known as keke riders, are among the most economically vulnerable citizens in the state. Imposing additional bureaucratic and financial requirements on them through biometric registration and technology-based ticketing systems effectively targets the poorest segments of society.

The statement continued, “What is more troubling is the government’s failure to create companies capable of creating jobs or stimulating economic productivity.

“With thousands of young people unemployed and struggling to survive, it is morally and economically misguided to focus solely on squeezing more money out of struggling transport operators rather than creating opportunities for a decent living.”

The group also criticized the state government’s alignment with the APC-led federal government under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, arguing that instead of protecting citizens from economic shocks, the state government instead increased hardship through additional taxes while infrastructure deteriorated and billions of dollars were spent on political support.