Numan marketers have reconvened to address growing concerns over irregularities in the annual tax collection exercise at the New Market. The meeting, jointly organized by the Gamzaki Traders Association in collaboration with the Rana Tafito Marketers Association, brought together key stakeholders including the Acting Chairman of Gamzaki Traders Association, Numan chapter, Alhaji Baba Abdullahi, the Zonal Chairman of Rana Tafito Traders Association, Alhaji Rabiu Baba, the Chairman of the Tailors Association, Alhaji Aminu Mai Zare, and other members of the traders’ unions.
Speaking during the meeting, Alhaji Baba Abdullahi expressed dissatisfaction with the conduct of tax collectors, describing their actions as contrary to agreements reached with the incumbent chairman of Numan Local Government. He alleged that collectors coerced some traders into paying as much as one hundred thousand naira, while shops belonging to those unable to meet the demand were locked. He condemned the practice as unlawful and unacceptable, stressing that such actions must be revisited.
He further noted challenges faced by traders in registering with the union, urging members to register and contest leadership positions in order to strengthen the union’s capacity to defend their interests.
In his remarks, Alhaji Rabiu Baba emphasised the need for collective efforts to tackle the challenges confronting marketers. He pointed out that beyond tax irregularities, traders also faced issues of poor security and indiscriminate refuse dumping within the market premises.
A concerned trader, Sani Ahmad, also voiced his grievances, lamenting the mistreatment of traders by tax collectors and calling for unity among members. He stressed that strong leadership was the only pathway to progress and urged traders to work together to protect themselves from unfair treatment.
The meeting concluded with key recommendations, including the registration of all traders with the Gamzaki Traders Association, the acquisition of forms to contest leadership positions within the union, and broader measures to strengthen collective bargaining and address pressing issues affecting the market.
