Small business operators in Igando-Ikotun Local Council Development Area of Alimosho Local Government , Lagos State have cried out over alleged extortion by the council authorities.
They said the council officials are demanding money for fumigation and certificates from small businesses in the community.
Some of the business owners said that the council agents use intimidation tactics like locking up their warehouses and giving menacing ultimatums for them to cough out the fees.
A particular business operator [name withheld] alleged that his warehouse was sealed by council agents after they accused him of fumigating his factory without using the fumigation firm of the local council.
Igando-Ikotun Local Development Council Manager, Olaloye Samsideen Babatunde, in his office on Tuesday 10th of May, 2022.
While lamenting, he claimed that the fumigator he used was duly registered by the National Agency for Foods and Drugs Administration and Control and the Standards Organisation of Nigeria, and wondered why the local government official would lock his factory, demanding he makes a payment for another round of fumigation by the council authority.
Another shop owner said, “Here in Igando-Ikotun LCDA, we’re asked to pay N5000 for fumigating our own shop. It is too much. It is exploitation. I pay a certified fumigation company to clean my workplace, and after paying the company the council will now come and tax me to pay N5000 again before they issue me a certificate. For what?” the shop owner queried.
Also, a woman that operates a primary school in Ijegun that spoke on a condition of anonymity, confirmed that the council mandates them to pay N5000 to be issued a fumigation certificate from the council authority.
She said, “I had to pay the N5000 to avoid harassment and closure of my school by the council agents. I and other business operators came together and paid the council. We know it is really not fair, paying N5000 to the council after paying so much to fumigate your place of work. but we don’t have any choice because if you fail to pay, their agents will lock up your office.”
According to the business owners, the Council-Manager, Olaloye Samsideen Babatunde, does not only fleece them to pay N5000, but any fumigator coming to operate in Igando-Ikotun must also pay N20,000 to register with the council. They also alleged the Council Manager’s ‘boys’ are behind the locking-up of people’s shops and factories.
During a visit to the Igando-Ikotun LCDA secretariat to get the Council Manager’s response on the allegations of extortion made against him, he denied any wrongdoing. He confirmed that the Council requires all certified fumigation agencies to register with N20,000 before they can operate.
Speaking with our correspondent inside his office, Samsideen Babatunde said, ” I don’t think that allegation is true. In fact, I’m hearing this for the first time. Why would anyone lock up someone’s business unjustly?”
When asked if there is any existing law backing fumigation enforcement of the Council, Babatunde replied, “The function of the council is to ensure that businesses fumigate at regular intervals. It is to be done quarterly. And our men are visiting premises to make sure that this is done.
“You see, the issue on the fumigation certificate is this; I’m not a professional in that field, but, you see, the law is this. Private individuals are allowed to operate. They can operate within the local development council. But, before that, they’ll register with the local government. Once they are registered with us and they are approved by the national body, they are free to operate.
“Locking people’s facilities is not a function of the local government. Fumigation is what we ensure that they do. It is for preventive measures against diseases. We have to ensure that cafeterias and eateries are fumigated, and food handlers are vaccinated. Schools are also ensured they fumigate.
“Our duty is to ensure that these people comply. Local government can venture into it [fumigation] if they have the machinery. I don’t know if we have the machinery for fumigation now.
“The byelaw is undergoing a process. There was a public hearing in March in which a bill was proposed and the Chairman, [Comrade Lasisi Ayinde Akinsanya] is yet to append his signature to it,” Babatunde added.
Meanwhile, a copy of the pest control notice from the department of environment seen by our correspondent says otherwise.
In the document, the council mandates the public to fumigate with their agents within seven days of notice or face stiff penalties.
The document read in part “…it has become mandatory for all hotels, bakeries, restaurants, water factories, supermarkets, commercial warehouses, banks, hospitals, breweries, cold storage, schools, to carry out fumigation of their premises at regular intervals (quarterly) in compliance with the policy guidelines on pest and vector control of the Federal Ministry of Environment under the mosquito and vector control ordinance.
“The Local Government pest control section offers effective and efficient pest control services which are comparable to any reputable firm to the public at affordable prices, failure to comply under seven days of the service of this notice will lead to legal action being instituted against you.”
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