OB OLLO-AFOR TRADERS SHUT MARKET IN PROTEST OVER ALLEGED ₦25,000 HAULAGE LEVY IN ENUGU STATE

Commercial activities came to a complete halt across Obollo-Afor in Udenu Local Government Area of Enugu State on Wednesday after traders locked their shops and mounted a peaceful protest against an alleged ₦25,000 haulage levy imposed on delivery trucks.

​Carrying placards, the protesters marched to the Udenu Local Government Council Secretariat, accusing the Enugu State Internal Revenue Service (ESIRS) of discriminatory revenue enforcement. Speaking on behalf of the traders, Charles Eze, Chairman of the Obollo-Afor Market Traders Association, stated that truck drivers delivering essential foodstuffs, building supplies, and commercial goods have systematically diverted their shipments to neighboring markets in Orba, Enugu-Ezike, Nsukka, and Orie-Igboeze to avoid paying the fee. While expressing support for the state government's e-ticketing initiative, Eze urged Governor Peter Mbah to intervene and standardize levies across all regional markets to prevent local business collapse.

​In response, the Enugu State Internal Revenue Service (ESIRS) Chairman, Emmanuel Nnamani, clarified via a letter that the haulage charge applies strictly to interstate heavy-duty transit operators and not local market traders. Meanwhile, the Secretary to Udenu Local Government Council, Chika Aroh, assured the protesting traders that collection would be temporarily suspended pending a formal resolution meeting with ESIRS officials.

​"This levy has made trucks disappear from Obollo-Afor for more than two months now since it started. The truck drivers said they don’t pay such haulage fees in any other part of Nsukka or Enugu. We are ready to pay any legitimate amount obtained in other markets, but let Obollo-Afor not be singled out for selective taxation."

​Local government officials promised to communicate the outcome of negotiations to the market leadership to ensure commercial activities resume fully without further disruptions.