LAGOS INTENSIFIES EFFORT ON LAND USE CHARGE PAYMENT

… Says Pensioners must Apply for Exemption

The Lagos State Government has intensified its efforts on the sensitization of stakeholders in Lagos Mainland, Alimosho, Oshodi-Isolo and Ikeja on the importance of Land Use Charge Payment, highlighting the need for compliance.

Speaking on Monday at the Adeyemi-Bero Auditorium, Alausa Ikeja, the Honourable Commissioner for Finance, Mr. Oluyomi Abayomi, who was represented by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Taxation and Revenue, Mr. Abdulkabir Ogungbo said the sensitization programme is meant to appeal to Community Leaders, Real Estate Developers, Property Owners and other Important Stakeholders on payment of Land Use Charge and to also encourage others to support the State Government initiative through the Land Use Charge payment.

Ogungbo averred that without revenue, Lagos State will not be able to achieve its developmental agenda and to continuously perform its social responsibilities such as the completion of the second phase of the Blue Rail and the Red Rail Line which is at 95% completion as well as other various developmental projects in the State.

“Land Use Charge is a reflection of the Law because we have a Law that guides the Payment of Land Use Charge, so I want to appeal to Lagosians to please pay their Land Use Charge to enable the government to become better equipped and to continue with the infrastructural development that is currently being aggressively implemented in the State”.

He assured Lagosians that those who have one issue or the other in the payment of their bills should visit any of the Land Use Charge Walk-in Centres close to them or the Land Use Charge Assessment Appeal Tribunal (LUCAAT) with the assurance that their issues will be resolved.

In his remarks, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Finance, Mr. Hundogan Sewanu Temitope said pensioners are exempted from the payment of Land Use Charge but that they are required to apply for approval.  He affirmed that exemption is not automatic, only the Honourable Commissioner for Finance has the power to give concession but with the approval of the Governor.

While maintaining that approval for exemption is renewable every year, Hundogan said pensioners must show reasonable evidence that they do not have additional income and must provide evidence of being a pensioner. He added that the property must also be void of any commercial activities, just as he appealed to Lagosians to pay their Land Use Charge Bill as the compliance rate is very low in areas like Alimosho, Lagos Mainland and Ikeja.

Speaking earlier, The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy Affairs and Rural Development, Mrs. Kikelomo Bolarinwa maintained that the forum is meant to address concerns of payment of Land Use Charge and to throw more light on grey areas so that all stakeholders can be better informed on the need to pay their Land Use Charge because, without funding, government will not be able to discharge its obligations.

In his response, Oba Igbobi-Sabe, Oba Owolabi Adeniyi enjoined land owners and other stakeholders to support the government in paying their taxes, stating that achieving a greater Lagos requires a collective effort.

The event had in attendance the royal father, representatives of Local Government Chairmen, Chairmen of Community Development Associations, CDAs, Motormechs & Technicians Associations (MONTAN), Real Estate Licensed Practitioners of Nigeria, Estate Rent Commission Agent Association of Nigeria and Association of Real Estate Developers of Lagos State, among others.