Over 2,550 traders under the umbrella of Tools and Hardware Dealers Association of Nigeria (TAHDAN) have concluded plans to move their businesses from Idumota area of Lagos Island to the Lagos International Trade Fair Complex, Badagry Express Way, due to unfriendly business environment.

The President of the Association, Chief Jude Chukwudi Obika, who disclosed this during an interactive session with Journalists on the status of the project, said that while the relocation will take effect from February next year, insecurity, congestion, arbitrary rent increase and poor sanitation are among the reasons why they are moving to a more conducive and business friendly environment.

“The vision to relocate the market from Agarawu- Idumota was conceived by the founding fathers of the Association and pursued by the various administrations. But it was in August 2008 when our regime assumed office that the decision to go to Trade fair was taken.

“Hence, we acquired a portion of land at Trade Fair complex in 2010 and started building. As I am talking to you, work is at finishing stages and we hope to commence business at the new place in February next year.

I wish to announce to all our customers, members and the general public that a new dawn of freedom and comfort has come. No more area boys harassment, shylock rent increment, lack of movement and parking space, inadequate shops and packing stores for our members, unhealthy environment; etc,” he said.

He explained that the plaza is a state-of-the-art international business edifice housing 2,000 lock- up- shops and 26 individual plazas.

The Association’s Secretary General, Felix Nnadi, added that the project which has so far gulped an estimated N2.75billion is funded through the selfless efforts of the traders.

“Our members contributed N900, 000 each to own a shop at the new place. There are over 2,550 members in all, excluding apprentices. So we still have enough land for expansion in the future to accommodate all our members and new comers,” said Nnadi.

In the words of Chief Josephat Ezelioha, pioneer president and one of the founding fathers of the Association, “All the traders are looking forward to the February relocation date with excitement and overwhelming joy, as it is a major fulfillment of our age long dreams and aspirations.

We started this union here at Agarawu Street in 1991 as a small group of traders who specialise in technical, industrial, mechanical, safety, engineering, agricultural and domestic – tools, hardware, machines, equipments, keys, bolts and nuts, castor-wheels, etc. Our sole aim then was to create peace, unity, security, welfare, and decent business environment for all our members and customers. Thank God that today, this dream has been actualised.”


http://www.vanguardngr.com/2014/10/hardware-dealers-quit-idumota-unfriendly-business-environment/

Interesting, it would have made more sense if they had relocated the business to the east though. 2.5billion? Now that's some real investment. Kudos to the industrous spirit of the Igbos.

But seriously the excess taxation in most part of lagos (legal and especially illegal.... From Govt and even locals) is something dat needs to be checked. Exploitation is quite high.

Again APC is an elitist government

Real businessmen

You just have to love the way igbo business men take daunting matters into their own hands always with the long term advantages in sight

I call on the area boys and others to relocate with them. I call on Lagos state to ensure that our taxes and rates collected sharp sharp and no COO issued on that land. Omo onile go for your annual servce charge.

NO sympathy for clannish traders / outsiders

ibedun:
I call on the area boys and others to relocate with them. I call on Lagos state to ensure that our taxes and rates collected sharp sharp and no COO issued on that land. Omo onile go for your annual servce charge.

NO sympathy for clannish traders / outsiders

Lol coming from sophisticated fellow, where they moved to is a federal government land, state govt doesn't have a say there.

CaptainOjemba:
Lol coming from sophisticated fellow, where they moved to is a federal government land, state govt doesn't have a say there.

smu. So company dont pay VAT, WHT, PAYE etc on fed govt land again. Be careful. Dont avoid tax. Pay your tax!!!
It not new. Spare part dealer moved from idumota to trade fair in 1996 now called ASPAMDA. ok.

thirty:

smu. So company dont pay VAT, WHT, PAYE etc on fed govt land again. Be careful. Dont avoid tax. Pay your tax!!!
It not new. Spare part dealer moved from idumota to trade fair in 1996 now called ASPAMDA. ok.

did u read the guy I quoted? If u didn't then go back and do so.

thirty:

smu. So company dont pay VAT, WHT, PAYE etc on fed govt land again. Be careful. Dont avoid tax. Pay your tax!!!
It not new. Spare part dealer moved from idumota to trade fair in 1996 now called ASPAMDA. ok.

do u know that state govt went to trade fair to collect taxes, the traders told them they pay their taxes to fg been the owner of the land, then state govt insisted that they must, the leadership of the traders now organised and sue them to court.

I even thought they relocated to the east. Badagry is still in Lagos na.

kelvincoll:
Interesting, it would have made more sense if they had relocated the business to the east though. 2.5billion? Now that's some real investment. Kudos to the industrous spirit of the Igbos.

But seriously the excess taxation in most part of lagos (legal and especially illegal.... From Govt and even locals) is something dat needs to be checked. Exploitation is quite high.

It is not too late to move to the east.

Them no born those lazy yoruba omoniles & agberos well to go there go ask for one naira......no more owo da

ibedun:
I call on the area boys and others to relocate with them. I call on Lagos state to ensure that our taxes and rates collected sharp sharp and no COO issued on that land. Omo onile go for your annual servce charge.

NO sympathy for clannish traders / outsiders

You seem not to mean well for these area boys o! Please keep praying for them to get genuine means of livelihood instead of reaping from another man's sweat.

@post, good development by the Igbo traders.

CaptainOjemba:
Lol coming from sophisticated fellow, where they moved to is a federal government land, state govt doesn't have a say there.

State govt still collects taxes due to them on any land within their territory.

If they like they should relocate to.Dodan Barrack, they will pay our taxes and levies. They are NGOS, assisting to build our economy in a sustainable manner, while theirs is going comatose.

We don't have good leaders in yoruba land.

Why our people not doing the trading like other people but instead doing omo onile, area boys, drivers, conductor, okada riders, keke marwa riders etc.

It is the responsibility of responsible leaders to come in and redirect the people's mentality and lead them to right path.

We lack good leaders.

juman:
We don't have good leaders in yoruba land.

Why our people not doing the trading like other people but instead doing omo onile, area boys, drivers, conductor, okada riders, keke marwa riders etc.

It is the responsibility of responsible leaders to come in and redirect the people's mentality and lead them to right path.

We lack good leaders.

Yes it is turu can you "borrow" us Orji Kalu and Theodore Orji and Andy Uba as well as Anus Paying Anus we lack leaders

This shouldn't be another tribalism issue, the fact of the matter is that there's a real estate deficit in Nigeria cutting across all sectors and any serious minded individual or groups of individuals would be wise to tap into this money spinning potential

barcanista:
I even thought they relocated to the east. Badagry is still in Lagos na.

How is it your business where they choose to relocate?

superstar1:


State govt still collects taxes due to them on any land within their territory.

If they like they should relocate to.Dodan Barrack, they will pay our taxes and levies. They are NGOS, assisting to build our economy in a sustainable manner, while theirs is going comatose.

state doesn't collect tax from business men at trade fair, they pay to federal agencies.

This is a good development now that the riffraffs are leaving hopefully we can convert that area to a mini GRA for top end residential real estate