By Adeleye Kunle
TRADERS at the Anambra State capital’s Eke Awka market and trycycle operators known as keke yesterday blocked major streets in Awka to protest the state government’s newly approved levies for them.
The development made driving through the capital city difficult for several hours, resulting in traffic gridlock in most parts of the city.
Some trycycle operators claimed they were being asked to pay N15,000 to the keke union and N500 per day, which they claimed was excessive.
According to them, the daily ticket used to be N450, and they had even asked the state government to reduce it because it was too high, only for the government to raise it.
The state board of internal revenue approved N14,200 for the traders.
According to one of the traders, government agents began enumerating traders in the market on Tuesday, and after capturing everyone, they were given a code number to go and pay into government-approved banks.
The market stall fee is N4,800.00, the market development fee is N2,400.00, the market traders fee is N3,000.00, the pollution/sanitation fee is N2,000.00, the biometric market registration fee is N700.00, and the market operation fee is N1,300.00.
He also stated that the traders were charged N2000 for the capturing of stickers and identity cards, bringing the total to N14,200.
Although the state Commissioner for Commence, Dr. Obinna Ngonadi, declined to comment on the matter, Mr. Christian Aburime, the chief press secretary to Governor Chukwuma Soludo, said the state government would issue a statement on the matter at the appropriate time.
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