NECA FROWNS AT INSENSITIVE LAGOS LAND USE CHARGE LAW

The Nigeria Employers’ Consultation Association (NECA) has expressed its displeasure at the newly passed Land Use Charge Law of Lagos State, 2018. The Law repealed the Land Use Charge Law 2001.

The Lagos State Government also 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 owners and affected occupiers take the option of enjoying the discounts available for the prompt and early payment of Land Use Charge invoices.

Speaking in Lagos, the Director-General of NECA, Mr. Olusegun Oshinowo while commending the Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode for his good works and making Lagos a model of for good governance. He, however, averred that “sensitivity and humanness, which is part of good governance, was missing in the recent amendment of the Land Use Charge law in the state”.

He noted that “the new law will expect property owners in Lagos State to pay an increase of over 200 per cent in Land Use Charge even when the income of the property owner has not experienced significant increase to justify the charge. 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”. According to Oshinowo, “it is, therefore, unacceptable to organised businesses”.

He reiterated that the law is not acceptable and the Organised Private Sector (OPS) “will not stand hand tied up to celebrate impunity and cheer disdain. It will fight this law by social resistance and any other legitimate means at its disposal”.