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Chief Augustine Usinefe Ogedegbe
Traders in Abraka Main Market, located in the Ethiope East Local Government Area of Delta State, celebrated on Wednesday after the LG Chairman, Chief Augustine Ogedegbe, announced the cancellation of the “Christmas levy,” which had previously cost traders between N5,000 and N10,000 to sell their goods during the holiday period.
The council chairman explained that the move was in line with the MORE Agenda of Governor Sheriff Oborevwori’s administration, aimed at easing the economic burden on traders who are already struggling with national economic reforms.
“The gesture, which is in line with the MORE Agenda of Gov. Sheriff Oborevwori’s administration, aims to ease the economic burden on traders who are already struggling with the economic reforms in the country,” Ogedegbe stated.
Traders in the market welcomed the news, calling the cancellation a welcome respite, allowing them to focus on their businesses and provide for their families during the festive season.
However, the council chairman pointed out with concern that traders at the market had been paying various levies to non-governmental entities, with none of the money reaching the local government.
“Traders at the market had been paying market levy, environmental levy, and other levies to some women, and none of the money was coming to the government,” Ogedegbe explained.
This situation led the chairman to hold a stakeholders’ meeting with the Egweyas, Emetes, the market chairman, and the association of market women when he resumed office on July 15.
“The outcome of that meeting had revealed the problems and prospects of the market and what the local government could do to boost local revenue from the market,” he stated.
He further explained, “I discovered that there had been conflict at the market, and the council resolved to rebuild the market into an even better standard.”
The chairman shared how the local government had to raise funds to clean up over two years of accumulated dirt in the market, ensuring the health and safety of both traders and buyers.
“To start with, the council had to raise money to evacuate the two-year-plus dirt in the market for the health of the traders and the buyers,” Ogedegbe said.
After extensive discussions with stakeholders, it was agreed that traders should no longer pay any levy to unauthorised parties.
“It was finally agreed that traders in the market should not pay any money as a levy to anyone again,” the chairman confirmed.
Ogedegbe announced that from January, officials from Ethiope East would take over the management of the market.
“Consequently, from January, officials from Ethiope East will start running the market. We do not have enough money, and so we cannot play with any of our sources of revenue,” he said.
As for future levies, Ogedegbe revealed that a demand notice would be issued soon, following the review and passage of revenue-related bylaws by the 8th Assembly of the Ethiope East Legislative Arm.
“We are on our bye-laws bills. Some have been reviewed, and the one on revenue for 2025 is coming. It must pass through all the readings.
“So, whatsoever the 8th Assembly of the Ethiope East Legislative Arm approves, we will send them (traders) the demand notice,” he said.
