By Juliet Ezeh
The Federal Government has pledged to address the challenge of multiple taxation and excessive checkpoints affecting businesses around the Lagos International Trade Fair Complex, one of Nigeria’s largest commercial hubs.
The assurance was given by the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Jumoke Oduwole, during a visit to the complex where she met with traders, investors, and leaders of business associations operating within the market.
During the engagement, traders raised concerns about the high number of security checkpoints and regulatory bottlenecks along the trade corridor, which they said have significantly increased the cost of doing business.
Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Balogun Business Association, Okechukwu Ezeibe, revealed that dozens of checkpoints exist along the route leading to the commercial centre.
According to him, traders encounter about 34 checkpoints from one end of the road and 53 from another route leading to the market, a situation he said continues to inflate production and distribution costs.
“As our production costs increase, we pass them on to consumers. Because we transfer that to the consumers, you are also one of the consumers,” Ezeibe said while appealing for government intervention.
Responding to the concerns, Oduwole acknowledged the challenges faced by traders and assured them that the government would work with relevant authorities at federal, state, and local levels to address the issues.
She said the administration of Bola Tinubu was committed to improving the business environment for local investors by tackling regulatory barriers, harmonising taxes, and improving logistics infrastructure in major trade corridors.
The minister also pledged to support dialogue between the government and business associations to ensure that the challenges faced by traders are addressed in a structured and transparent manner.
To strengthen collaboration, Oduwole announced plans to institutionalise quarterly meetings between the ministry and business groups operating within the complex to track progress and ensure accountability.
“We will work together with the three levels of government and agree on achievable steps every quarter to improve the business environment here,” she said.
Traders at the complex also complained about deteriorating infrastructure, including poor road networks, lack of streetlights, and inadequate power supply despite the large taxes they pay to government authorities.
In her remarks, the Executive Director of the trade fair complex, Veronica Nadanusa, described the facility as a critical commercial centre that plays a major role in promoting trade and economic activity in Nigeria and across West Africa.
She noted that the complex continues to host exhibitions, trade fairs, and business events that attract manufacturers, investors, and entrepreneurs from within and outside the country.
Juliet Ezeh is the founder and chief reporter at Westbridge Reporters with over 7 years of experience in journalism. She covers crime, industry, policy, and social developments, delivering timely and accurate reporting.