Lagos State governor, Akinwunmi Ambode says the state is ready to dialogue with groups and persons disagreeing with government over the new land use charge.
Ambode gave the open cheque at a meeting on Tuesday, with private sector and business groups, tagged “Lagos Means Business” held at the Eko Hotel and Suites, Victoria Island.
Ambode said the last time the land use charge was reviewed was 15 years ago, whereas the law allows the state to review the rate every five years.
According to the governor, the taxes were needed to attain to increasing infrastructure needs of the megacity, with a population of over 24 million people.
He said from about N25 to N30 billion generated as internal revenue, only about N10 billion was left monthly to undertake infrastructural development.
He said as a governor with the mandate to lead the state, the responsibility is on him to encourage the rich to pay taxes and then use that to maintain social balance between capitalism and social justice.
Ambode explained that his administration was also trying to restrict itself from frequent borrowings and look inward to fund infrastructure and meet the demands of the citizens, and this could only be achieved through taxes.
Joshua Bassey
