25th August, 2011
Petroleum Retailers Association in Ajeromi/Ifelodun Local Government Area of Lagos State, Southwest Nigeria, have protested against what they described as unwarranted extortion by council officials, who were alleged of charging them various levies.
Those who spoke with Lagos Bulletin on the development stated that some council officials allegedly conspired with the former chairman of the association to carry out their activities.
Mr. Ganiyu Iyokuope, the chairman, said “since the former chairman was removed from office, the council has been issuing to us different kinds of levies.
“Apart from the N2,650 we pay annually for trade permit, we are being made to pay another N150 everyday which they call ‘toll fee.’ We only know that tolls are being collected on the road and for the council to be collecting tolls in the market is indeed amusing to us.â€
Ganiyu said if there is any cause for them to pay any money, such should be done directly by the local government.
The petroleum sellers said further that they have made several efforts to see that the illegal toll collection is stopped and that despite the council’s chairman’s denial of any involvement, some officials still keep on issuing the tickets.
The traders also alleged that any attempt not to pay the money has resulted in some of them being beaten, arrested and detained by the police.
They therefore appealed to the leadership of the local government to call those behind such act to order so that the council’s name may not be put into disrepute.
Meanwhile, effort to seek the council chairman, Mr. Kamal Bayewu’s comment on the matter proved abortive as he was said to have gone out on official assignment.
— Paul Sanusi