Traders in Benin metropolis have closed shops for several hours to protest the huge taxes levied on them by the Governor Godwin Obaseki-led administration.

The traders in their thousands took over the streets and roads in the state to register their displeasure saying the new levies is far outrageous and could throw many of them out of business and increase crime.

Some of the traders who described the levies as excessive called on government to reconsider their stance on traders, stressing that the increase in their yearly levy ranging from 30,000 (thirty thousand) to 100,000 (hundred thousand) against the initial amount of 3,000 (three thousand) to 5,000 (five thousand), is disastrous to their survival.

Receiving the protesting traders, the deputy governor of the state, Philip Shaibu called on the traders to hold their peace promising that he, the Governor will look into their complains.

Galaxy television learnt that the traders were expecting a reduction to their previous levies owing to the state of the economy.

Report by Gabriel Ordia