Abia State government has ordered the leadership of the Traders Association at the Ekeoha Shopping Centre, Aba, to refund illegal levies collected from traders at the market
The market leaders had collected sums ranging from ₦100,000 to ₦150,000 per shop from the traders in the guise of constructing a flower pot, access road and other projects in the market.
In a statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Mr. Onyebuchi Ememanka, the state government explained that the only levy approved by the government across the markets in the state is ₦18,000, which covers ASEPA, ABSAA, Stallage, Fire Service Operations, PPIDF, personal income tax, and business premises.
Describing the collection as a “brazen display of illegality and impunity” by the leadership of the traders association, who issued demand notices with deadlines for payment, the statement explained that the ₦18,000 levy is payable only once in a year.