The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has partnered with the National Union of Dispatch Riders and Mail Operators of Nigeria (NUDRMON) to identify and remove criminal elements operating as dispatch riders in the FCT.
The Mandate Secretary, Transportation Secretariat, Mr Chinedum Elechi, disclosed this on Wednesday in Abuja during a meeting with members of the union.
Elechi said the partnership followed the development of a membership database, online portal and identification numbers by the union to distinguish registered riders from unidentified operators.
He noted the increasing presence of unidentified dispatch riders operating across the FCT, some of whom allegedly use their delivery boxes to transport illegal items.
The mandate secretary commended the union’s leadership for the initiative, describing it as crucial to distinguishing genuine riders from criminal elements.
He pledged the support of the FCT Administration, led by the FCT Minister, Mr Nyesom Wike, saying closer collaboration between the government and dispatch riders would strengthen security and accountability.
“What is important is that you must collaborate and work very closely with the government.
“With this initiative, now we can isolate the bad eggs because it is usually common to paint people with one brush.
“Now the bad ones can be fetched out. Congratulations on this initiative. Our doors are open and ready to work with you in whatever way.
“We are happy to partner with you. After today we can say we are partners with dispatch riders. We can only protect those we have a relationship with,” he said.
One Rider, One Identity
Earlier, the National President of NUDRMON, Mr Emmanuel Kwaghdega, said the database and identification number initiative was designed to create a unique and verifiable identity for every registered rider.
Kwaghdega said dispatch riding had become a major source of livelihood for thousands of Nigerian youths, particularly since the COVID-19 pandemic.
He said NUDRMON members provide delivery services to restaurants, pharmacies, e-commerce platforms, financial institutions, businesses and households across the country.
The union president, however, said the sector faced several challenges, including the activities of criminal elements, security concerns, traffic violations, accidents, multiple operational permits and the absence of a unified identification system.
He said the challenges threatened the livelihoods of thousands of genuine dispatch riders.
“We realised that we cannot continue like this. If we want government to protect us, government must know us; if we want the public to trust us, the public must be able to identify us.
“Also, if we want to hold bad operators accountable, we must distinguish them from genuine riders.
“Our vision is one ride, one identity and one verifiable body number,” he said.
Kwaghdega said credible data would improve security, promote responsible riding, strengthen accountability and support accident and welfare interventions.
He added that the database would also enable the union to engage estates and businesses more effectively and provide the government with reliable information for improved planning and regulation.
He said the initiative could also help address multiple operational permits through engagement with relevant authorities towards a more harmonised and rider-friendly regulatory framework.
According to him, if the FCT Administration takes ownership of the initiative and works with the union, it would become a collaborative response to transportation and security challenges in the FCT rather than merely a NUDRMON project.
“We, therefore, appreciate the FCTA Transportation Secretariat for believing in this initiative and for choosing collaboration over confrontation and organisation over uncertainty,” Kwaghdega said.
