NUMTEN accuses Edo IRS of excluding legally recognised market traders’ union from stakeholders’ meeting

Michael Olumide Alabi

Edo State Chapter of the National Union of Market Traders Employers of Nigeria (NUMTEN) has accused the Edo State Internal Revenue Service (EIRS) of misleading the public by claiming it had consulted market stakeholders without involving the legally recognised trade union representing market traders in the state.

In a statement signed by the Chairman of the Edo State Chapter of NUMTEN, Comrade Osagie Oduwa Godwin, the union strongly condemned a publication on the official Facebook page of the EIRS, which stated that the agency had engaged market unions and market leaders on issues affecting traders across the state.

NUMTEN maintained that it was neither invited nor consulted during the engagement, despite being the only trade union legally registered under the Trade Union Act, Cap T14, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, to represent the interests of market traders.

The union described its exclusion as a deliberate attempt to create the false impression that all relevant stakeholders had been consulted, while the legally recognised representative body of market traders was left out of the process.

According to the statement, the action undermines transparency, accountability, public trust and inclusive governance, while also violating the provisions of the Trade Union Act by making decisions affecting market traders without engaging their recognised representatives.

NUMTEN further argued that the exclusion disregards the constitutional rights of market traders to be represented by their duly registered trade union on matters relating to taxation, levies and other policies that directly affect their businesses and livelihoods.

The union recalled that it had previously submitted several official correspondences to the Edo State Internal Revenue Service on issues including multiple taxation, presumptive taxation, illegal revenue collection and other challenges facing market traders in Edo State.

It expressed disappointment that those communications had not received the attention they deserved, despite their importance to the welfare of traders and the state’s revenue administration.

The union therefore called on the Edo State Internal Revenue Service to correct what it described as a misrepresentation, formally recognise NUMTEN as the legitimate representative of market traders and ensure that future consultations include the union in line with the law and established trade union structures.

NUMTEN also urged the revenue agency to embrace transparency and meaningful stakeholder engagement in the formulation and implementation of tax policies affecting traders.

While criticising the agency’s actions, the union reaffirmed its commitment to constructive dialogue with the Edo State Government and relevant agencies.

It said it remains willing to collaborate in promoting a fair, transparent and business-friendly tax system that protects the interests of market traders while supporting the growth of the state’s internally generated revenue.