Protests have reportedly erupted among Point of Sale (POS) operators in Sapele Local Government Area, Delta State, over what they described as new operational levies and identification charges allegedly introduced by the local authorities.
Some operators who spoke to journalists in Sapele said the new requirements include the purchase of uniforms at ₦5,000, stickers at ₦1,500, and a weekly ticket fee of ₦400. They claimed that these costs have further strained their businesses amid current economic difficulties.
One operator, who pleaded anonymity, lamented:
“I took a loan of ₦100,000 to start this business. With these new levies, it’s becoming difficult to make profit. Sometimes, we barely get customers in a day, yet we’re expected to pay for tickets and other charges,” she said tearfully.
Efforts by journalists to obtain an official response from the Sapele Local Government Chairman, Mr. Bright Abeke, were unsuccessful. When contacted by telephone, Mr. Abeke reportedly declined to comment on the issue.
As of the time of filing this report, the council had not released an official statement clarifying whether such fees were formally approved or when they would take effect.
He was however, reportedly quoted to have said, “there was no going back”.
Meanwhile, POS operators and market traders in Sapele have continued to call on the local government to review the alleged levies, citing the harsh economic realities faced by small business owners.
