Lagos State Government says members of the Auto Spare Parts and Machinery Dealers Association, operating within the Trade Fair Complex on the Lagos-Badagry Expressway, are constituting a security threat to the state.

The government explained that it adopted the view as a result of the refusal of the traders to comply with the law guiding their operations.

Commissioner for Transportation, Mr. Kayode Opeifa, said this at a stakeholders meeting on Wednesday, organised by the Motor Vehicle Administration Agency.

He said despite efforts to make the operators to regularise their business, ASPANDA members had refused to deal with the government, claiming that they operate within a Federal Government territory.

Opeifa, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Mr. Sheyi Coker, added that the position was no longer valid with the recent concessioning of the complex to private investors. He urged the traders to cooperate with the government in the overriding interest of all.

Opeifa said, “The insistence of ASPANDA that they operate outside the ambit of state government gives cause for concern.

“Lagos State Government has the primary responsibility for public safety and security within its domain. So, ASPANDA position is therefore inimical to the safety and security of the millions of law-abiding residents of the state.”

The commissioner said there was need for constant communication between auto spare parts dealers and the regulatory agency considering the large concentration of vehicles in the state.

He said the government would continue to provide a conducive environment for the dealers to do business in the state.

Permanent Secretary, MVAA, Mr. Akin Hanson, said auto and spare parts dealers were strategically positioned and could play a decisive role in crime prevention.

berem: Babaoloja things? ASPANDA traders no go gree o!

I thought Trade Fair Complex belongs to FG? I stand to be corrected though.

ImHotep-X:
It seems all these attacks on Yoruba's and Lagos State Government are orchestrated from the top by Igbo leaders. Perhaps, it's because they have an Igbo COAS.

Anyway, how's a place under the jurisdiction of the LSG a federal government territory? When the LSG acts now and purge them out of the place, they will start whining again.

I guess everything is part of a bigger game for the final showdown for the battle of Lagos. That's going to be one hell of a war.

Demdem: If those fools can't comply with the laws of the land, they should be dealt with severally. That shouldnt be too much for LASG to acheive.
Better still, impose on them Babaloja to instill the desired disclipline.
What nonsense.

berem: Babaoloja things? ASPANDA traders no go gree o!

I thought Trade Fair Complex belongs to FG? I stand to be corrected though.

OPC.NAIRALAND:


Thats no longer a legal tender.
$€£¥¢#

[size=14pt]Mr. Sheyi Coker, added that the position was no longer valid with the recent concessioning of the complex to private investors. [/size]

deeptesting:

In that case LASG should meet the private company and negotiate with it on how to tax the people and not going their to intimidate and extort money from the people.

Demdem: If those fools can't comply with the laws of the land, they should be dealt with severally. That shouldnt be too much for LASG to acheive.
Better still, impose on them Babaloja to instill the desired disclipline.
What nonsense.

luvinhubby: Some of us do not read articles before commenting.
The person talking is the P/S in charge of MVAA, which is an agency that collects N25,000per dealer tax annualy from auto parts dealers in Lagos which ASPAMDA people have refused to pay insisting that they are tenants of federal govt., concessioning or not.
The issue is not about security, it is about not being able extort excess tax from the biggest auto parts market in Africa monopolised by Igbos.

luvinhubby: Some of us do not read articles before commenting.
The person talking is the P/S in charge of MVAA, which is an agency that collects N25,000per dealer tax annualy from auto parts dealers in Lagos which ASPAMDA people have refused to pay insisting that they are tenants of federal govt., concessioning or not.
The issue is not about security, it is about not being able extort excess tax from the biggest auto parts market in Africa monopolised by Igbos.

berem: Is ASPAMDA the only market in Trade Fair? Does this connect to Ladipo? There are jewelry,cosmetics and provision section in Trade Fair Complex. Why is LASG concentrating only on ASPAMDA? I don't wanna believe it's because ASPAMDA has the highest if not all their traders as Igbos.

berem: There are so many instances where LASG imposes tax on FG properties. Festac Town is a perfect example. We all know FG owns Festac Town. Amuwo Odofin LG gives each festac resident a certain tenement bill asking them to pay some certain amount of money. The festac residents vowed not to pay that money. Amuwo Odofin LG issued threats through letters and still yet , Festac residents refused to Oblige. What right does an LG or LASG have to impose tax on FG properties? Just as there are Federal Roads and State Roads, there are also FG properties and State properties.

OPC.NAIRALAND:


Right now, Igbo is out of favor in Lagos. We will throw the law books at their so called constitutional rights, lets see how far the constitution can survive the law.

luvinhubby: Some of us do not read articles before commenting.
The person talking is the P/S in charge of MVAA, which is an agency that collects N25,000per dealer tax annualy from auto parts dealers in Lagos which ASPAMDA people have refused to pay insisting that they are tenants of federal govt., concessioning or not.
The issue is not about security, it is about not being able extort excess tax from the biggest auto parts market in Africa monopolised by Igbos.

St_Obaino:
We need to take things easy before it gets out of hand.
Its high time FG intervenes before its blown out of proportion.

OPC.NAIRALAND:


FG is a tenant in Lagos. They are still paying LASG landlease rights on a number of properties.

berem: Oh please shut it! it's obvious you have nothing meaningful to say! LASG has no right to interfere or impose tax on FG properties. stop reasoning with your armpit!

lagbaja:

When has tax collection become extortion. The advance development in Lagos is traceable to tax colleciton, if you earn in Lagos, why refuse to pay tax to the govermnet that provides the enabling environment. All the ammenities you see built around are from tax payers. Why should the igbo refuse to pay taxes.

All Lagos markets must be properly organized and owners should pay their taxes, that is what obtains in other organized climes. if you can't comply , go back to your village.

OPC.NAIRALAND:


Security! Security!! Security!!!

Regulation! Regulation!! Regulation!!!

Read&Understand!
Read&Understand!!
Read&Understand!!!

Comply or Go to Village!
Comply or Go to Village!!
Comply or Go to Village!!!

berem: If they are paying landlease rights, not Trade Fair! have you forgotten that from Festac Town down to the Army Barracks along Lagos Badagry expressway is owned by FG? Including Trade Fair itself? what the heck are you saying?

OPC.NAIRALAND:


LASG has not called for tax. MVVA membership fee is not a tax. LASG is calling for regulation to safeguard safety and security particularly in a state where robbery and kidnapping is very rife.