I have been in Lagos for many years. I am a mother of three. The eldest is in polytechnic, while the other two are in secondary and junior schools.
The prices of goods and services are not only tied to fuel costs. These monies we pay daily are also a determinant, I would say. Why I said that is because I can’t buy a good for ₦100,000, pay multiple fees and you expect I don’t factor these into the selling price. That is actually the reality business owners face. We are all affected by this. I don’t just sell; I am also a buyer from other people. At least, I consume and make use of other goods and products. It is everywhere. Prices are added to the cost of goods, or else one will be selling at a loss. People think sellers are the greedy ones.
Excess tax is draining financially. It is a burden on us. In some instances, the more the expansion, the more new, higher fees.
I don’t have a problem with paying, but this is becoming unbearable. Four different people come for four different things. I really hope it’s a reasonable payment with ease; I would have been happy.
Failure to pay this money might lead to losing the space you sell to someone else. This is Lagos. People are in line to take over. Everywhere is always congested. I have been at this spot for four years.
Sometimes, there would be sales. Sometimes, there wouldn’t be. But in either case, the levy collectors come for their money. I am talking about ₦1,500 – ₦2,000 each day, depending on how the market sales are. Most times, they could be the first ‘customer’ of the day.
The money might look small, but by the time waste disposal, market woman association, and others are paid, when accumulated at month’s end, these little amounts of money have drained someone because the money is what could be used to purchase something else entirely. It appears like a gradual bite, but the total of these affects finances.
Agbero boys will collect theirs. The sanitation agency, local government council will come for theirs too. Every month, I spend at least ₦40,000 altogether for all of these. I still also need to save monthly. I feel tired and weak on some days. What would I do?
Each time, different people come for this money as if they had already drawn a timetable for their visiting days. Nobody could protest because it has become a norm.
These levies are one of the causes of poverty. Aside from the expensive house rent in Lagos and the basic needs to survive daily, transport costs and other expenses still need to be met.
Life has really not been easy. It has been challenging. We spend a lot every day and it is really affecting us. I know this is not limited to Lagos alone. It is everywhere across the country, but little or nothing is actually done regarding that.
As narrated by: Kolawole Funmilayo (Abule Egba, Lagos).
This snippet is published as part of the series, The Art of Taxing Poverty.
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