Some traders at the popular Oshodi Market, on Thursday, identified multiple taxations, the absence of parking space and threats by touts as some of the pressing challenges facing traders in the market.
Traders in interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) at Oshodi said that these challenges were affecting their profit margin.
Alhaji Tajudeen Lateef, the Vice-Chairman (Babaloja) of Oshodi Market, explained that businesses in the market also suffer from a lack of access to loans.
“Secondly we all know as business people we need loans to assist us from time to time, that Tradermoni initiative from the government is not helping traders much. I can spend N10,000 in a day, what they should have done is to assess your store and see how much it is worth.
“When I took a loan of N1,000,000 from the micro-finance bank I know how much I had to pay back in return. Make loans accessible to market men and women with low interest,’’
The Woman Leader (Iyaloja) of Oshodi Market, Alhaja Sikirat Adeyanju, urged the government to help fast track the construction of the ongoing parking space and provide a good road network.
A market woman, who spoke on condition of anonymity, told NAN that touts, known as “area boys“, reign in the market with so much impunity.
“You can’t challenge them, because they have godfathers. Women are the main target because by nature we can’t start fighting with tugs. Our security is at risk daily and it’s so worrisome. Being a tout is fast becoming a lifestyle among our youths and the young impressionable minds,’’
Reacting to the allegations, Mr. Olugbenga Oyekan, the Market Master at the Oshodi-Isolo Local Government Council Development Area (LCDA) said measures are in place to address the challenges.
“Also for taxation, I honestly don’t see multiple taxations as an issue. The truth is initially we tax N5,000 and we increased it to N6,200 and those with bigger stores pay N8,000,’’
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