Lagos seals off 43 shops, arrests traders February 11, 2013 by Sesan Olufowobi Lagos State Government has sealed off 43 spare parts shops and arrested eight dealers over failure to register the businesses with the government. The spare parts shops, which are located in Maza Maza, Mile 2 area of the state, were shut by the enforcement unit of the Lagos State Motor Vehicle Administration Agency, in conjunction with officials of the state’s task force. A statement on Sunday by the agency said the MVAA had earlier closed the spare parts shops, adding that their owners broke the seal and resumed their trade. Spare parts dealers are supposed to pay an annual registration fee of N50, 000 while auto dealers are to pay an annual registration fee of N100, 000. The statement said, “It has been observed that many spare parts and auto dealers have been defaulting in the payment of the annual registration fees, while a series of sensitisation and talks to get many of them pay the annual fees had been unsuccessful. “When the MVAA officials got to the shops to re-effect the closure of the shops, they were attacked by some spare parts dealers. “Task force officials came to the rescue of MVAA personnel as they arrested eight people for breaking government’s seal and assaulting its officials. “Other attackers fled on sighting task force officials. The shops were later sealed off.” The Chairman of the task force, Superintendent of Police Bayo Sulaiman, said the arrested dealers would be arraigned at the state Special Offences Court. PUNCH