Homeowners above 70yrs, religious organizations, NGOs will not pay Land Use Charge – Lagos Govt. discloses

Oredola Adeola

The Lagos State Government has exempted Lagosians (senior citizens) aged 70 years and above- who live in their own houses, properties owned by religious and not-for-profit organizations from paying Land Use Charge.

This was disclosed by Mr. Akinyemi Ashade, the state’s Commissioner for Finance, as he expressed determination of the state government to correct inefficiencies associated with old Land Use Charge Act.

Governor Akinwunmi Ambode pays his Land Use Charge at GTB, Opebi, Ikeja, Lagos State, last Monday

The Commissioner further asserted that the State Government has begun the implementation of the law, thus, sending out demand notices for properties across the state.

Recall that Governor Akinwunmi Ambode, assented to the new law on February 8, after it was reviewed by the State House of Assembly, when the government spotted grey areas in the old Land Use Charge Act.

Ashade said, “To make matters worse, the Land Use Charge rates had over time gradually become rather obsolete. The determination of the rates payable by property owners was often questionable because the formula could be applied in a subjective manner.

“The new Land Use Charge regime, sets out to correct the shortcomings in the previous regime. For instance, the new regime allows for property owners to calculate by themselves the rates payable by them, once they have determined the market value of their properties.

“This way, rates payable are transparent and standardized such that property owners are charged identical rates for properties of identical dimensions being used for identical purposes in the same locality.”

The Commissioner revealed that the state government is very mindful of the impact of the current economic situation in the country on residents of the state, pointing out that the new Land Use Charge regime has several inbuilt reliefs for Lagosians.

He further said, “Senior citizens (citizens aged 70 years and above) who live in their own houses, are exempted from paying Land Use Charge. The same applies to properties owned by religious and not-for-profit organizations where such properties are not profit yielding.

“Physically challenged citizens also enjoy considerable discounts on their computed charges. In the same light, every Land Use Charge bill benefits from a discount of 40 percent and an additional 15 percent discount if the bill is paid promptly.

Ashade however disclosed that the state is engaging those Lagosians who have raised legitimate concerns about their bills, adding that the government has dedicated a full-fledged Help Desk manned solely by special officers to manage and resolve such complaints.

Recall that Governor Ambode, last week paid his Land Use Charge, with an announcement that the State Government will no longer accept cash payment in revenue collection effective from March 1, 2018.

Shortly after paying at the Opebi branch of Guaranty Trust Bank (GTB) the Governor disclosed that the measure was aimed at improving on service delivery to residents of the State and as well block all revenue leakages.

According to him, the transaction process in revenue collection has now been made easy for the people, who, according to the Governor, can now pay every day, any time and online.

He said: “In order to ensure that the government improves on the quality of service delivery to our people, effective from 1st March, 2018, no payment or taxes will be made by cash henceforth across the State.

“Tax payers should be able to pay all legitimate bills through all payment channels at their own time and convenience. The transaction process is now going to be every day, anytime and no weekends.”