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Lagos Encourages Land Use Charge Payments with “Operation Payers Activation”
The Lagos State Ministry of Finance has launched "Operation Payers Activation," a campaign designed to increase compliance with Land Use Charge (LUC) payments and raise awareness about its importance among Lagos residents and property owners.
During the campaign launch at the Iru-Victoria Island Local Council Development Area, Finance Commissioner Abayomi Oluyomi emphasized the campaign’s goal of educating residents on the importance of paying LUC, fostering civic responsibility, and boosting the state’s revenue generation.
Oluyomi highlighted that the revenue generated from LUC payments is used to fund essential social services, including roads, schools, and hospitals, in line with international best practices.
In his words “Today marks a watershed in tax generation and Land Use Charge Activation in Lagos State, we are not just laying a solid foundation but also ensuring that property owners are carried along in understanding the importance of compliance. The administration under Mr. Governor, Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu has continued to make remarkable strides in transforming our State, from advancing infrastructure to improving public services, his leadership has brought significant progress that benefits all residents”.
“However, to sustain this thrust and ensure the continued development of our dear state, it is vital that we support the Lagos State Government because the contributions are vital in maintaining and expanding the infrastructural projects, which are essential for our growth and prosperity of the Centre of Excellence”, he added.
Oluyomi noted that the responses so far have not been very encouraging particularly in some parts of Lagos, stating that it will be unfair on those who have been supporting the government in discharging their civil responsibility while others, are yet to understand the significance.
He appreciated a good number of Lagosians who have been very consistent in making payments, saying “We extend our appreciation to those who are discharging their civic responsibilities promptly and we want to implore others to join the train of a #Greater Lagos by supporting this initiative to avoid any penalty as enforcement begins immediately after the campaign”, he added.
Oluyomi, leading the distribution of Y2024 Land Use Charge bills on Victoria Island, announced that reminder notices will be issued during the "Operation Payers Activation" campaign to those who haven’t yet paid. He encouraged property owners and businesses to capitalize on the current 15% discount for bills paid within 30 days of receipt.
“We have over 500 of our officials who have been trained and will be working tirelessly in the distribution of Reminder Notices to those who are yet to comply, and also identify properties that are yet to be enumerated. I want to specially appeal to Lagosians to kindly avail these officials as much cooperation as possible to ensure a smooth distribution of the bills. I also want to advise those seeking more clarity on their bills to contact the Land Use Charge help desk or visit the Land Use Charge Appeal, Assessment and Tribunal for any unresolved issues”, he said.
The Commissioner emphasised that Lagos, the fourth largest Economy in Africa, is one of the most secure places in Nigeria, and that is why many individuals come to live in our dear State because it is safe and secure making Lagos one of the most populated States in the Country.
He, therefore, sought the understanding and cooperation of Lagosians, adding that the State’s consistent unequalled performance not only in the area of infrastructure but also in the provision of relief materials like the Ounje-Eko, Ilera-Eko amongst others is attributable to the State’s formidable Internally Generated Revenue (IGR). He also solicited the support and understanding of Stakeholders to continue to join forces with the State Government in building a #Greater Lagos that we can be proud of.
Opeyemi Ogungbo, Special Adviser to the Governor on Taxation and Revenue, urged all property owners in Lagos State to comply with their tax obligations, including Land Use Charge payments.
Welcoming the officials to the launch, Sewanu Temitope Hundogan, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Finance, highlighted that Governor Sanwo-Olu implemented a relaxed penalty regime for Land Use Charge payments in 2019.
“Governor Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu as a welfarist believes in making life easy for Lagosians and thus introduced a 15% discount on the Land Use Charge. I charge you, our Officials, to give your best in this exercise not only because you are working for the best State in Nigeria but also because your efforts will help the Government to deliver more tangible deliverables”.
The Lagos State Government has said it would soon arrange a meeting with developers/owners of distressed buildings on how best to address the redesign and remodelling of such structures by November.
This was disclosed recently by the Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Oluyinka Olumide, at a function in Alahusa, Lagos.
Olumide said the prevalence of distressed buildings in different parts of the state was worrisome and needed the urgent attention of all stakeholders.
He said, “The Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development as mandated by the Lagos State Urban and Regional Planning and Development Law, 2019, as amended, was willing to extend its responsibility for approving the remodelling of existing buildings to provide technical assistance to developers and owners of distressed buildings, especially on the design and remodelling of such buildings.
The Federal Government has instructed the contractors responsible for the 107km Enugu-Onitsha road dualization to expedite the project.
This directive was given by the Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi, during a meeting with MTN, the Enugu State Government, and the contractors, RCC Ltd and Nigercat Ltd, on Friday.
According to a statement released on Friday, the minister said he is disappointed over the slow pace of work on the project, he said, “Let me express my disappointment over the slow pace of work on that project. It is one of the worst roads in this country.
“Everywhere we have diversion; diverting from the one that RCC and Nigercat had completed, the contractors are not kind enough to even put stone based on the diversion points.”
He added, “So, by the reason of the launching of our Operation Free our Roads, it is now a violation of the policy on the side of the controllers and directors of the Federal Ministry of Works where we have vehicles falling on any project that is ongoing or where there are potholes on our roads.”
He also blamed the sufferings of road users on the lack of commitment and insensitivity of the contractors.
“The public must know that the President’s intention is not for them to suffer while trying to fix the roads, and it is their right to insist that contractors should fix the roads that they are engaged on,” he said.
The Minister commended the Enugu state government for their resolve to fund the construction of a 20 KM section of the road and expressed hope that MTN would execute the second phase of the project.
He noted, “Why the Enugu State government is intervening is because of the slow pace of work by the contractors and because of funding issues. The essence of tax credit is for funds to be made available. And so, I don’t see RCC going to keep their promise to finish this project in 6 months.
“My advice to MTN is to look for another contractor within that axis if they want to get the job done. Division of labour is even the best. While they are doing the road, and if Nigercat is doing a good job, you can give them greater scope to do if you want to finish that job.”
He warned contractors that the Federal Government would not accept phased handovers of projects and has phased out Variation of Price in contract administration.
The Ekiti State government has intervened to resolve a longstanding land dispute between the Elepe of Epe-Ekiti, Oba Ayodele Adesoye, and the Atolagbe family. The government cautioned against the misuse of modernization as an excuse to disregard traditional customs.
In line with the community’s traditions, the government has ordered the release of resources, including palm trees at Oko Oba Farmland, to Oba Adesoye for his administration. This decision ensures the continued adherence to age-old practices.
Ekiti State Deputy Governor, Chief (Mrs) Monisade Afuye, announced the resolution in Ado-Ekiti. The decision was made after considering the Elepe’s claim to Oko Oba Farmland based on historical evidence.
Mrs. Afuye acknowledged the Elepe’s right to be the custodian of Oko Oba Farmland, citing longstanding traditions that support his claim. The decision reflects the importance of respecting historical practices and ensuring their preservation.
The deputy governor, however, told the monarch in clear terms that other princes and princesses from all the three ruling houses should be allowed to farm on the land without payment of royalty.
Mrs Afuye appealed to the community to comply with the government’s position to restore unity, peace and orderliness to the beleaguered community.
Oba Adesoye expressed gratitude for the government’s decision and pledged to foster peace and unity between the throne and the community, aiming to accelerate Epe’s development.
Representing the Atolagbe family, Dr. Yemi Agbeleoba acknowledged their willingness to cede Oko Oba Farmland to the monarch. However, he emphasized the need for all three ruling houses to participate for a lasting and traditional solution.
Agbeleoba expressed appreciation for the government’s directive, believing it will contribute to resolving the long-standing conflict.
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