- Lagos State has launched an awareness campaign encouraging the payment of the Land Use Charge
- The government has said compliance is key for driving development
- 15% reduction had been applied as an incentive to encourage payers
The Lagos State Government has hired 500 ad hoc workers to launch an awareness campaign for the payment of the Land Use Charge (LUC) across the state. The campaign will run every day for a month across all councils, and non-compliant property owners will face legal action.
According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), the campaign began on Monday, June 24, at Lagos Island, Iru Victoria Island, and the Eti-Osa Local Government/Local Council Development Areas.
Compliance is key for driving development
At the campaign launch, the Commissioner for Finance, Mr Abayomi Oluyomi, urged property owners to pay their LUC to assist the government's development programmes.
Abayomi stated that the 2024 budget predicts spending of around N2.2 trillion, with nearly 70% of the IGR paying the state budget and also emphasized that the LUC is an important revenue source, and compliance is key for driving development.
15% reduction incentive to encourage payers
The commissioner further said that a 15% reduction had been applied as an incentive to encourage payers and that such payments are a civic responsibility. He also pointed out that it is unjust for certain people to continuously refuse to pay while others do.
Relatedly, Abdul-Kabir Ogungbo, Special Adviser to the Governor on Taxation and Revenue, also urged property owners to comply with the ad hoc workers.
Temitope Hundogan, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Finance, similarly stated that the sensitisation was set up to ensure LUC payment compliance.
The permanent secretary said, unlike past governments, which penalised defaulters, Governor Sanwo-Olu's administration replaced punishments with incentives and further urged property owners to take advantage of the opportunity to pay up.
Nigerians have, however, reacted to this event by resorting to social media to voice out their concerns.
Nigerians react to land use charge sensitisation
“They need to increase the tax net awon werey,” Ola Mi Lekan tweeted.
“ For the remaining demolished properties... More tax,” Nkirukamma added on X.
“People will not protest against this tax , because yorubas sees it as yoruba ranu Government, even though it will effect everyone,” Bold expressed his opinion on X.
“We don't need these taxes but senior slaves will defend them.., so let's just pretend it's fine,” ZYNXX.dev commented on X.
“Lagos will soon start taxing people’s blood,” Captain Olusegun expressed his concern.
“I thought they've already increased the tax net.... Or is it not wide yet?” Mzia asked on X.
“Haaaa!!” Nedum exclaimed on X.