OREDOLA ADEOLA
The leadership of National Association Of Polytechnic Students (NAPS) has issued a statement cautioning Governor Akinwunmi Ambode over the review and discount offered to property owners under the new Land Use Charge.
This was contained in a statement signed by Comrade Olasunkanmi Ijaduoye, NAPS Public Relations Officer, which was made available to this newspaper.
The association which has over 30.1 million students, and the second largest students movement in the country, in the statement frowned at the newly imposed and petty reduction of land use charge and other tax review in Lagos state.
It said, “ We clearly listened to the state's commissioner for finance, Mr Akinyemi Ashade, he said the governor had granted a 50% reduction on commercial charges, 25% for owner-occupier, tax credit for payment already made and introduces instalment payment plan.
“The leadership of National Association Of Polytechnic Students (NAPS) specially commend Governor Akinwunmi Ambode desire to build world class infrastructure and improve the well-being of its citizens.
“At the same time, it saddens our hearts that the Governor has directly showed the cruel side of his administration without minding the hardship prevailing economic crisis that Nigerians are bearing under the Buhari led administration.
“NAPS believes that tax reform for the 21st century means rewarding hardworking families by closing unfair loopholes, lowering tax rates across the board. It demands reducing the tax burden on citizens so they can keep more of their income to invest in our communities, but reverse is the case here,” NAPS stated.
The Polytechnic students' body, however noted that the percentage reduction is a ruse and not acceptable. It added that the probability of the governor having a booming and flourishing economy is very slim if he keeps to the high rate of tax.
It said, “Our hardworking parents/guardians who are struggling to pay tuition fee, who are going through hard times just to sustain their metabolism, sort family issues, debts and other allowances shouldn't be encouraged into gambling and robbery to meet up with the tax increment.
“Only the 'rich' people by definition have the 'extra' money to buy things and invest to create economic growth. Do we really want to tax that 'extra' money away and give it to your administration to spend? Does that make any economic sense outside of politics and our emotional desire to make everyone suffer equally through this tough times?
“We need an equal opportunity society, one in which government does not see its citizens as a means of extorting funds. We believe this government is not here to hit our soft hearted parents/guardians with unreasonable tension.
“ If the increment is eventually accepted by the citizens of the state, the governor should be aware that landlords will invariably transfer the burden of payments to there overwhelmed tenants. In the end, it is the poor among the populace that will suffer it,” the statement said.
The association however charged Governor Akinwunmi Ambode to return the law to status quo.. It also urged all concerned Lagosians to give their full support in the protest of kicking against what it described as a petty reduction.
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