Traders at various markets in Lagos State, particularly Balogun Market in the Lagos Island Local Government Area of the state are lamenting the multiple levies they pay to the government, alleging extortion.

Speaking with PUNCH Metro on Tuesday, some traders at the Balogun market claimed that they are compelled to pay N50,000 in six months, while others pay over N100,000 annually.

The traders also claimed that they pay N700 in taxes daily while stating that they will be forced to vacate their stalls if they fail to make the payment.

A trader at Balogun Market simply identified as Emmanuel claimed that traders pay more than N100,000 a year.

Emmanuel said “We pay N50,000 or N60,000 in six months we pay N100,000 or above yearly.”

Another trader identified as Iya Biliki claimed that the traders pay weekend taxes in addition to annual taxes.

She said “For me, per year they collect N50,000 and every Saturday and Sunday they collect N300 from traders. What they are doing is illegal but the thing is that we don’t have any other choice because we don’t have shops in the market.”

A trader at Ikeja market identified as Mummy Mercy said, “We pay to stay on the roadside. Even the hawkers pay money daily. Some of them pay N500 daily while some of them pay N200 daily. There is nothing free in Lagos. We traders that stay close to the rail tracks pay N400 daily.”

When contacted, the Chief Press Secretary to the State Governor, Gboyega Akosile, said “Although every working person must pay tax, whether petty trading or big stores.”

Ikaeniyan0:
They should all stand their ground and stop paying till the government decide to look into the issue. I doubt they will work together sha

jackmrandy:
its time they all stand up and have one mouth about this levy issue. The market leaders should come together and have an agreement about this levy. if they say they are not paying nothing will happen, highest they should all team up and protest and luck their shops. if no market, government should tell me where they will collect levy and from whom.

OneCandleAway:


Lock up shop in this harsh economy.
This is something that should have been done since. Now traders don't have a choice especially since they are more women than men. They'll just unleash agbero on them.

jackmrandy:


Lagos is a terrible state. Now that their father is the president, they will do anything they like. Sanwolu subsidized transport some months ago, he has stopped it and guess what I learnt BRT service has gone back to normal price. Watch as Lagosian will start wailing again about high cost of transport in Lagos.

OneCandleAway:


Yes it stopped Monday. Once the election has been legitimised they don't need to pacify the masses. That's the way they think. Lagos is over taxed and that why lagosians didn't support tinubu because they know what he'll do on the federal level.

jackmrandy:


lets see how things unfold for them. Everyone is hopeful about this government and its economic policies.

Bayyajidda:
These ronu pigs go around taxing out life out of hardworking traders, tomorrow they won't allow them to vote in Lagos.

OneCandleAway:

This is the reason lagos didn't vote Apc. Multiple taxation. Over taxation with nothing to show for it.

They don't have a choice or those agbero nurtw will be unleashed on them

Ikaeniyan0:
They should all stand their ground and stop paying till the government decide to look into the issue. I doubt they will work together sha

stano2:
Una never start to lament