Fidelia Soriwei, Abuja
Hundreds of commercial transport operators and traders took to the streets of Enugu on Wednesday to protest what they described as rising taxes, daily levies and increasing fuel costs, disrupting business activities and traffic in parts of the state capital.
The protesters, including tricycle operators, minibus drivers and shop owners, converged around major commercial and transport areas, including Ogbete Main Market, Old Park and the Holy Ghost axis.
The demonstration caused significant traffic disruption and restricted access to parts of Enugu’s central commercial district as the protesters voiced concerns over the financial pressure facing businesses and transport operators.
Commercial drivers at the protest alleged that their daily operational taxes had increased several times over the past 20 months, rising from ₦350 to as much as ₦1,000.
“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 liter,” said Michael Chieze, a commercial driver at the scene. “Now there are fears they want to push us out entirely.”
The protest came amid the state government’s defence of its tax reforms, which authorities say were introduced to consolidate multiple levies and address illegal road tolls and multiple-agency collections.
The Executive Chairman of the Enugu State Internal Revenue Service, Ekene Nnamani, had said at a revenue sensitisation forum that Internally Generated Revenue from the informal sector increased from below ₦100 million annually to ₦7.4 billion following the introduction of technology-driven revenue collection.
Under the system, the government said traders pay ₦36,000 annually through a central e-ticket system, while transport operators make consolidated daily payments.
Authorities said the arrangement was designed to eliminate multiple collections and alleged extortion by agencies including the Enugu State Waste Management Authority, the Enugu State Environmental and Climate Change Agency and local government councils.
The protesters, however, maintained that the tax burden remained excessive, particularly as rising petrol prices have increased their operating costs and reduced earnings.
The disagreement over taxation and the cost of transportation reflects the growing pressure on traders and commercial transport operators trying to maintain daily operations amid higher fuel expenses.
Police personnel and government representatives were deployed to the Ogbete-Holy Ghost corridor during the protest to engage with the demonstrators and help restore movement and public order.
