I’ve been here for 15 years plus. And the problem has made other IDPs arrive as recently as two, three weeks ago.
SOMETIMES THEY THREATEN TO LOCK ME UP
But I’m happy about the new tax reform. It’s going to really help a lot of people who are in the low-income bracket.
EXCESS TAX IS A BURDEN ON US
I don’t have a problem with paying, but this is becoming unbearable. Four different people come for four different things.
I HAVE NO CHOICE BUT TO ADJUST PRICES
These requests are usually verbal. Nobody gives you a written document for such payments. They just tell you, “Oga, settle us.”
YOU JUST PAY AND MOVE ON
Some identify themselves as local government officials, some as sanitation task force officers, while others simply say they are “in charge of the street.”
THE STRESS OF UNCERTAINTY
You are selling, attending to customers, arranging your goods, and suddenly someone appears asking for money.
LIKE THEY KEPT MONEY WITH ME
Some people come with printed papers like tickets. Some come with nothing. But both of them demand money.
GETTING A BUSINESS LOAN IS A BIG PROBLEM
When the government collects taxes from us, the question is: what do we get back?
CLOSED MY SHOP IN LESS THAN A MONTH
They were like, oh, they are giving me two days. If I don’t make my payment in two days, they are going to close the place.
WE DON’T KNOW HOW THE TAXES ARE CALCULATED
We don’t have a formula — like this is what we are earning and this is what we are required to pay.