Governor Peter Mbah needs to urgently investigate complaints over the alleged reintroduction of Keke ticketing and the reported collection of a 10 per cent charge on loads carried by 18-seater buses operating within transport terminals in Enugu State.
The complaints raise serious questions about policy implementation, revenue collection and accountability within the state’s transport sector. They also invite a broader political question: could the handling of these charges create avoidable public resentment against Mbah’s administration ahead of the 2027 general elections?
At the centre of the concerns is Emmanuel Ekene Nnamani, chairman of the Enugu State Internal Revenue Service (ESIRS), whose agency’s position on the reported collections deserves clarification.
Is the reported ticketing arrangement consistent with the governor’s directives? Who authorised the alleged 10 per cent charge on loads carried by 18-seater buses? And are these collections part of the government’s approved revenue policy or separate arrangements?
These are questions that deserve clear and timely answers.
Governor Mbah reportedly directed the suspension of daily ticketing and levy collection for commercial tricycle, popularly known as Keke, operators across Enugu State.
However, complaints from operators suggest that a ₦350 ticketing arrangement has returned.
If these reports are accurate, the government must establish whether the collection represents a reversal of the governor’s directive, a different officially approved charge or an unauthorised practice.
A government directive should not exist only on paper. It must be implemented consistently by the agencies and officials responsible for enforcing it.
If a levy has been suspended, operators should not be left wondering whether they are still expected to pay it under a different arrangement. Such uncertainty can create confusion, increase tensions and undermine public confidence in the government’s policies.
ESIRS and the relevant authorities should therefore explain the status of the reported ₦350 ticketing arrangement and clarify whether it has any official approval.
Beyond the complaints from Keke operators, another concern involves the reported collection of a 10 per cent charge on loads carried by 18-seater buses operated by members of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), the Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria (RTEAN) and other mass transit operators within transport terminals in Enugu State.
The reported charge raises questions about its legal basis and its relationship with the government’s proposed terminal service charges.
If the 10 per cent collection is officially approved, the government should explain how it is calculated, what services it covers and whether it overlaps with other transport-related levies.
If it is not authorised, the relevant authorities must investigate and take appropriate corrective action.
Transport operators should not be left to guess which charges are compulsory, who is authorised to collect them or what benefits they receive in return.
A transparent schedule of approved levies would help eliminate uncertainty, prevent potential disputes and ensure that revenue collection follows established rules.
The question of whether ESIRS Chairman Emmanuel Ekene Nnamani is deliberately sabotaging Governor Mbah’s political interests is serious. However, it would be premature to reach that conclusion without credible evidence of deliberate wrongdoing.
Nevertheless, public officials have a responsibility to ensure that their actions and the operations of their agencies are consistent with government policy.
If the governor has ordered the suspension of a levy but similar collections continue, the apparent inconsistency requires investigation. If additional charges are being imposed without adequate explanation, the government must establish whether they are lawful and properly authorised.
The distinction between deliberate sabotage and administrative practices that produce unintended consequences is important. The former requires evidence of intent, while the latter can be assessed by examining the policies, the collections and their impact on affected citizens.
Nnamani should have the opportunity to explain ESIRS’s position. At the same time, the governor should ensure that any inconsistencies between official directives and actual practices are resolved without delay.
Commercial transport operators are important contributors to Enugu State’s economy. They provide essential transportation services, support livelihoods and connect markets, businesses and communities.
Keke operators and mass transit businesses must meet daily expenses, including fuel, maintenance, staff costs and other financial obligations. Additional charges that operators consider unclear or excessive can put further pressure on their businesses.
These costs may also affect passengers if transport operators respond by increasing fares.
The government must therefore balance legitimate revenue generation with the need to maintain an affordable and functional transport system.
Revenue collection is necessary for public administration, but it must be transparent, lawful and consistent with officially announced policies. Operators should know what they are paying for, the authority responsible for the collection and the process for challenging charges they believe are irregular.
With the 2027 general elections approaching, the government should not ignore complaints from the transport sector.
Public confidence is shaped not only by major development projects but also by citizens’ everyday experiences with government policies. When a governor announces a measure intended to ease the burden on transport operators, people naturally expect the relevant agencies to implement it faithfully.
If the implementation appears inconsistent, the administration may face questions about accountability, coordination and the enforcement of its own directives.
However, it would be an exaggeration to suggest that these complaints alone will determine the outcome of an election. Their significance lies in the need to address public concerns before they escalate into wider grievances.
Mbah should not allow uncertainty over transport charges to undermine confidence in his administration or create avoidable tension between the government and transport operators.
The priority should be to establish the facts, communicate clearly and ensure that every relevant agency operates within the law.
Governor Peter Mbah should direct the appropriate authorities to investigate the reported ₦350 Keke ticketing arrangement and the alleged 10 per cent charge on loads carried by 18-seater buses operated by NURTW members, RTEAN members and other mass transit operators.
The government should publish a clear schedule of approved transport-related levies, identify the legal authority for each charge and explain how terminal service charges relate to other collections.
It should also engage directly with transport unions, employers’ associations, mass transit operators and terminal representatives to establish what is happening on the ground.
Nnamani and ESIRS should be given an opportunity to explain their position, while any evidence of unauthorised collections or failure to implement official directives should be addressed appropriately.
This is not about targeting an individual without evidence. It is about ensuring that public officials and government agencies implement policies consistently and remain accountable for their actions.
