Enugu traders, drivers protest multiple taxes, fuel costs - Punch Newspapers
Business activities and vehicular movement were disrupted in Enugu, the state capital, on Wednesday as hundreds of commercial transport operators and traders protested alleged heavy taxation and rising fuel costs. The protesters, comprising tricycle operators, minibus drivers and traders, blocked major transport hubs and roads around Ogbete Main Market, Old Park and the Holy Ghost axis, disrupting access to the city’s central commercial district. The protest was said to have been triggered by complaints over daily levies and tax policies which the operators alleged had increased their operating costs and made it increasingly difficult to remain in business amid rising fuel prices. The development came despite recent assurances by the Executive Chairman of the Enugu State Internal Revenue Service, Ekene Nnamani, who defended the state’s tax reforms and revenue collection system. Speaking at a revenue sensitisation forum, Nnamani said the state’s informal-sector Internally Generated Revenue had increased from less than N100m annually to N7.4bn following the consolidation of various levies through a technology-driven system. According to the state government, the central e-ticket system, which costs traders N36,000 annually and involves daily consolidated payments for transport operators, was introduced to eliminate multiple levies, illegal road tolls and alleged multi-agency extortion involving agencies including the Enugu State Waste Management Authority, Enugu State Housing Development Corporation and local government councils. However, the protesters alleged that the system had not eased their financial burden. Traders, drivers protest in Enugu over taxes, fuel prices Experts visit site of Enugu building collapse, blame negligence Fuel price hike pushing Nigerians to endurance limit – ADC Some transport operators claimed that their daily operational levies had increased from about N350 to N1,000 over the past 20 months, in addition to park fees and other charges. A commercial driver, Michael Chieze, who spoke during the protest, said the increased levies, coupled with the rising cost of fuel, had placed a heavy burden on operators. “We are forced to pay exorbitant daily tickets, park fees and heavy fines if we don’t pay before noon, all while fuel prices keep climbing. Today, PMS is N1,450 per litre. “Now there are fears they want to push us out entirely,” he said. The protest caused significant disruption around the Ogbete-Main Market, Old Park and Holy Ghost corridors, with motorists and commuters caught in the ensuing congestion. Police personnel and government representatives were subsequently deployed to the affected areas to engage the protesters and restore order. The protesters were demanding a review of the levies and other charges imposed on transport operators and traders. Raphael Ede
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