Traders at the Lagos International Trade Fair Complex have called on the Federal Government to look into the issue of multiple roadblocks and taxation on containers and goods coming into the market, by conventional security agencies and other bodies. The traders equally called for stronger collaboration with the Federal Government.
The appeals were made during a visit by the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment to the market.
The visit brought together traders, business leaders and government officials in a meeting that highlighted the economic importance of the complex and the challenges faced by operators within the facility.
A founding leader of the market and Chairman, Board of Trustees, Mr. Okey Ezibe, said local investors had been among the biggest contributors to the country’s economy since 1998, stressing that they had demonstrated strong confidence in Nigeria by investing heavily in the trade fair complex.
He noted that although the traders largely operate within the informal sector, they were gradually transitioning towards formalisation after studying global best practices in international trade markets.
According to him, the traders transformed the once dilapidated complex into a thriving commercial hub serving not only Nigeria but also the entire West African sub region. He said the area was previously run down with little or no infrastructure until traders invested massively to rebuild and develop it into what he described as ‘an enviable masterpiece’ that now attracts thousands of traders and customers daily.
“I can remember when we first came here many years ago. It was swampy, but with the help of God and other inventors who invested massively, it became a great transition,” Ezeibe said
He explained that despite the investments, the traders are with various operational challenges and insufficient government support.
According to him, traders frequently face multiple regulatory checkpoints and excessive taxation while moving goods from the ports and border posts.
“From the port to this place, there are several checkpoints targeting our goods. From the borders, we face more than 20 checkpoints,” he said.
He explained that the situation increases the cost of doing business and ultimately affects consumers through higher prices. Stakeholders also called for the harmonization of taxes and levies imposed by different government agencies.
Can’t we streamline the taxes and payments so that we pay once and operate without harassment?” he asked.
Infrastructure deficits also featured prominently during the meeting, ranging from poor road networks to limited electricity supply and inadequate public utilities within the complex.
Ezeibe said traders pay substantial ground rent and other charges to the government’s agencies but have not seen corresponding improvements in infrastructure.
“We pay billions of Naira in ground rent and other charges to the Federal Government, yet we have not seen basic infrastructure like street lights or transformers, and we get disturbances from both the state and local government,” he stated.
He urged the government to partner with traders to rehabilitate key access roads leading to the complex, noting that hundreds of trucks and trailers move through the corridor daily.
“If the roads are improved, more businesses will come here and trade will grow even more,” he added.
He raised concerns about the demolition of some structures within the complex, which he said caused heavy financial losses to the affected traders.
“Some people have still not recovered from that demolition,” the representative said, calling for compensation or support measures.
Also, speaking at the meeting, the executive chairman of Trade Fair Management Board, Erelu Vera Safiya Ndanusa, urged traders to support the government’s policies aimed at strengthening the economy. She expressed optimism that the FG would deliver on its promises, noting that improved infrastructure and policy support would further position the complex as a major commercial and export hub for Nigeria and the wider West African region.
