By Ebun Sessou
LAGOS—Participants at the ongoing Lagos Trade Fair have complained of multiple charges, harassment by officials of Lagos State Traffic Management Authority, LASTMA, and exorbitant entry fees by organisers of the fair.

Consequently, attendance at the fair organised by Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry, LCCI, at Tafawa Balewa Square, under the auspices of the state government, had been largely limited, as the number patronising the show had dwindled.

Vanguard investigations revealed that the activities at the Trade Fair have been marred by multiple charges imposed on individuals who come to transact business.

One of the persons, who spoke with Vanguard lamented that anyone who buys ticket worth N200 as gate pass could only be allowed to use it once, adding that further entry on the same day attracted additional charges.

He said: “By making the gate pass ticket is outrageous, the organisers have made this year’s trade fair uninteresting to those who would have come to patronise the exhibitors.”

Another factor he pointed out was the harassment by the officials of LASTMA, who tow vehicles of patrons and impose high fines on them.

A cross section of exhibitors, who came to showcase their products from outside Nigeria, have also lamented that this year’s trade fair was totally different in terms of visits by the public. They added that this had drastically reduced the level of patronage.

Media representatives, who visited to cover events at the fair, have also complained of maltreatment by organisers, security agents and LASTMA.

Reacting to the situation, one of the officials of Lagos Chambers of Commerce and Industry, LCCI, who wouldn’t want to be quoted, said efforts are in place to correct the anomalies.