Is it not unimaginable seeing a tout asking you for road worthiness, hackney, license, insurance and autovin documents???

A day without delays, extortions, traffic law violations, accidents and theft is worth a testimony. Then, one may ask; what business is this? It is the Courier, Logistics, delivery business popularly called “dispatch business” in Lagos.
Regarded as a self service business which bikes are used for delivery services, whether by you as the rider or an employed personnel, who is your rider.
Over time, it has become a big business in Lagos for lots of business owners ranging from traders, restaurants, banks, online commerce and many others.
The evolution of this business has really helped the economy especially as it has become a major employer of labour.
In addition, it has reduced the burden of Government through employment.
It is one business that has successfully engaged youths to.ease the burden of Government.
It is estimated that there are about 1500 logistics companies with a minimum of 1 rider.
As lucrative as one may think it is, the challenges posed by Local Government council touts has brought about heavy agony.
The menace from this group of people is becoming alarming even after a forceful acceptance of their “illegal legal documents.”
Sadly, it is regarded “illegal legal” because none of the documents issued by them governs the courier and logistics business with constituted laws in the land.
It is regarded legal because for many years these documents have become prerequisite for operations of dispatch riders with no government interventions.
Painfully, these documents are issued yearly, quarterly, monthly and some geographically, based on their irrational needs.
These touts have become groups standing in as taskforce for documents not under their jurisdiction .
Is it not unimaginable seeing a tout asking you for road worthiness, hackney, license, insurance and autovin documents which are supposed to be a duty of the Vehicle Inspection Officers (VIO).
These Local Government council group has fraudulently endorsed themselves as the taskforce to check for the Lagos State Signage and Advertising Agency (LASAA) document, which is supposed to be the duty of the Lagos State agency.
It is regrettable that these same set of people has turned themselves to ‘minigods’ asking you for the Ministry Of Transportation letter, whereas, there is an agency of the MOT, responsible for this.
Furthermore, these same set of touts have suddenly planted themselves in different Local Governments and entities to issue out emblems and stickers.
It is common to hear new authorisation papers like “Ikorodu papers” in Lagos, despite having the necessary documents to operate.
Neighbouring Ogun State has taken a cur from the situation in Lagos to.cash out. So, it’s not strange to hear touts require for Ogun State sticker, OGhut and many more.
Touts and criminals now flock the roads masquerading as government officials and demanding for ‘illegal’ levies.
It is becoming increasingly difficult for operators to continue as different levies are introduced every day.
The new trend is that each Local Government now issues stickers for dispatch riders to ply roads
Operators have encountered challenges around Ikosi Isheri Local Government and Ojodu Isheri LG amongst others..
The registration of a dispatch bike into the Lagos State system entails processes through licensing offices for plate numbers, Ministry of Transport authorised letter, LASAA receipt if bike is branded, the Autovin from the Vehicle Inspection Office, Stage Carriage and others.
The above listed documents have proper bank accounts of Lagos State for remittances, renewal and laws that guides the operation, except for the newly introduced illegal documents with no particular account for remittances.
Indeed, it is laughable that touts have since become the new Lords determining the operation of delivery services in Lagos State.
The enforcement/regulation of courier/logistics operations was in line with the Nigeria Postal Service Act 1992, Regulation 16 (3) of Traffic Law, 2012, Section 46 of the Transport Sector Reforms Law (TSRL 2018) and alsowith schedule 1 section 326 sub section 15{1, 2 , 3, 4 ,5 and 6} of the TSRL, 201 with the following terms and conditions which states motorcycles above 200cc engine capacity are exempted from the restriction on the use of motorcycles on the state highways, no bike should be used to carry passenger, the use of protective helmet is compulsory, bike must be fitted with properly fixed mail cabin and many more.
Above listed laws are one of the constituted laws that regulates the courier logistics business. So, the question is; Who makes the order for the issuance of these stickers/emblems from multiple Local Governments?
When did National Union of Local Government Employees laws govern the courier/logistics service ?
Surviving in the business is difficult and now it is becoming increasingly difficult with the challenges in the land.
How will a business owner in this sector thrive with multiple illegal taxation?
There is an urgent need to streamline these taxes and ensure only approved taxes/levies/fees are charged.

“If you are not emotionally stable, don’t dare to invest in the dispatch business,” a source said recently judging by the pains from these touts who are littered across the state.
This is a clarion call to the Lagos State Government to look into this for small businesses to thrive.
If Government is willing about setting a cordial environment for small businesses to thrive in Lagos, wr urge them, that the time to act is now!