LAND-USE-CHARGE: OPS vows to sue Lagos govt

The Organised Private Sector (OPS) has kicked against the downward review of the new Land-Use-Charge (LUC) announced by the Lagos State government on Thursday.

The group vowed to drag the government to court should it fail to meet its expectation on the matter.

Following protest that greeted a review of LUC in Lagos State to about 40 per cent, the Akinwunmi Ambode-led government of the state quickly announced a downward review of the new LUC.

However, not satisfied with the review, OPS on Friday petitioned the State Commissioner for Finance, Akinyemi Ashade, rejecting the reduction on the basis that its request has not been met.

OPS claimed that it had, in a formal submission to the government, asked for reduction in both or either of the Base Percentage Rate (BPR) or (and) Assessed Market Value (AMV), insisting that the reduction announced by government fell short of expectations of the business community.

OPS in its petition signed by Mr. Segun Oshinowo, vowed that it would have no other option than to drag Lagos State government to court as it did in 2002, should Ambode’s administration fail to address the concerns of the business community.

“The Organized Private Sector (OPS) appreciates Governor Akinwunmi Ambode for the announced reduction in the invoiced rate of the Land use-charge demand notices sent to businesses and residents. This is a demonstration of his avowed commitment to listen to alternative views.

READ ALSO: Residents still grumble, as Lagos bows to protests, reviews controversial Land Use Charge

“However, having analysed the announced concessions by Government, our position is that the reduction fell short of expectations of the business community. Government has not addressed the fundamental request in our formal submission to it, namely reduction in both or either of the Base Percentage Rate or (and) Assessed Market Value. These are crucial issues we had called on Government to address. A reduction of 50% over the invoiced rates is far off from the mark on the relief that will ameliorate the over 500% increase in the new rate.

“In the spirit of the long-standing partnership and on-going social-dialogue between the Lagos State Government and the Business Community, we therefore, request that you take a second look at these propositions. May I also inform you that we have the mandate of the business community to challenge this law in court, as we did in 2002, should the government continue to shun our request for a respectful constructive dialogue between it and the OPS, which is highly desirable for the resolution of this issue,” OPS petition read.

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