Residents and point-of-sale (POS) operators in Badagry have voiced strong objections to a new weekly levy introduced by the Olorunda Local Council Development Area, describing the move as ill-timed amid rising living costs.
The development follows a circular issued by the council and co-signed by Chairman Hon. Peter Ajose and Treasurer Awusi Olayinka, which was obtained on Facebook by our correspondent.
The notice informed operators that “as part of your civic responsibility and contribution to the development of our LCDA, you are hereby required to pay a weekly levy of Three-Hundred Naira (#300) only to the council.”
The council explained that the decision came after a stakeholders’ meeting where a higher rate was initially considered.
“However, as a responsible and listening Government, the Council has reduced the fee from the initial proposal of #1,200 per week to just #300 per week,” the circular stated, adding that collections would begin on May 4, 2026.
The policy has drawn criticism from residents, including community advocate Prince Daniel Lateef–Peters, who warned that the levy could worsen hardship for small-scale operators and their customers.
“Life is already hard enough… Yet now, our local council wants to add another burden: a ₦300 weekly levy on POS operators,” he said.
He argued that many operators run small kiosks and depend on modest daily earnings to survive, noting that “taxing them weekly is taxing survival.” He added that the measure could lead to higher transaction charges, which would ultimately affect traders, artisans, and other residents who rely on POS services for cash access.
Lateef–Peters also questioned the rationale behind the levy, asking: “What exact service will this ₦300 weekly provide to POS operators? How will the money be tracked and spent? Why wasn’t there a town hall with POS agents and community leaders before this decision?”
A POS operator in the area, identified as Toppy Janet, also expressed frustration over the policy, citing multiple existing deductions on her business.
“What I met in my shop this afternoon… please explain what I will have to be paying #300 for every week cuz I don’t understand,” she said.
She continued, “how much una think the POS dey bring in now… the POS charges too is there Vat too is there… must u people milk the citizen to death.”
Many operators fear the levy could force them to increase service charges or shut down entirely, a situation residents say may reduce access to cash and disrupt daily transactions in the community.
Calls have grown for the council to suspend the policy and engage stakeholders on more acceptable alternatives.
Meanwhile, some POS operators in the council said they were unaware of the circular.