NECA rejects 200% increase in Lagos’ Land Use Charge law
THE Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association (NECA) has threatened to fight against the newly passed 2018 Land Use Charge law by the Lagos State government.
The national umbrella body of employers in the country argued that the law, which repealed the Land Use Charge law of 2001, expects property owners in the state to pay an increase of over 200 per cent as the new charge.
The organised private sector members, who expressed displeasure over the newly passed law, described it as unacceptable to businesses, threatening to fight against the new law by social resistance and other legitimate means at its disposal. A statement by the body explained that the new law in the state lacked sensitivity and humanness, which are key factors of good governance. According to the DirectorGeneral of NECA, Olusegun Oshinowo, even when the income of the property owner has not experienced significant increase to justify the charge, the new law expects property owners in the state to pay an increase of over 200 per cent.
“There is also a penalty payment ranging between 125-200 percent, if payment is not made between April and August, 2018. The new charge is, thus, highly insensitive and inhumane to say the least. It is, therefore, unacceptable to organised businesses,” Oshinowo said.
Recall that the state government has extended the period for the payment of all annual Land Use Charge demand notices for 2018 to Saturday,14th April, 2018. The extension is to enable property own- ers and affected occupiers take the option of enjoying the discounts available for the prompt and early payment of land use charge invoices. The Commissioner for Finance, Lagos State, Akinyemi Ashade, said the state House of Assembly decided to review the law, which was signed into law on February 8, 2018, by the Lagos State Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode, in the light of some of the inefficiencies associated with the old Land Use Charge law.
While commending Governor Akinwunmi Ambode for his good works and making Lagos a model for good governance, the NECA boss reiterated that the new law is not acceptable, as the organised private sector will not stand hand tied up to celebrate impunity and cheer disdain.