|
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...
|
Following last week’s decision of the Lagos government to reduce the rates applicable in its recently introduced Land Use Charge (LUC) law, the Lagos State House of Assembly has set up a six-man ad hoc committee to review the controversial law.
Governor Akinwunmi Ambode signed the LUC Law 2018 on February 8, a development which drew instant flak from stakeholders including lawyers, estate developers and the Organised Private Sector. The stakeholders had argued that the 400 percent increase in the land use charge amounted to insensitivity to the citizens and businesses, and called for a review of the law and wider consultations with the public.
The state government subsequent reviewed the charges by between 15 and 50 percent to douse tension in the state, making it necessary for the law to go back to the legislature to capture the new changes made by the executive.
Mudashiru Obasa, the speaker of the state House of Assembly, announced the review committee on Monday, said: “As people’s representatives, there is need to address the issues raised by the citizens”.
Obasa named Bayo Oshinowo, chairman, House Committee on Lands, as the chairman of the ad hoc committee, which he urged to report back to the House in two weeks. Other members of the committee include Yinka Ogundimu, chairman, House Committee on Finance and Funmilayo Tejuosho, chairman, House Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Petitions.
Tunde Braimoh, chairman, House Committee on Information, Strategy and Security, Jude Idimogu (APC-Oshodi-Isolo II) and Olusola Sokunle (APC-Oshodi-Isolo I) are also members.
Obasa said: “I am of the opinion that there is a need for us to pick up the law and look at those sections that our people perceived to be obnoxious. This will make us address the concerns raised by our people in Lagos State.
The rates applicable in the LUC 2018, which the state later reviewed after a week-long protests from stakeholders, were as follows: owner-occupied residential property, 0.076 percent, owner occupier+commercial property, 0.256 percent; industrial/commercial property, 0.76 percent per annum.
However, following the review, commercial property owners, who are mostly impacted by the LUC has been granted 50 percent discount. This means a commercial property valued at N20 million which was earlier billed N91,200 will now pay N45,600 per annum.
Similarly, property occupied by owner and third party and property used for industrial and manufacturing purposes have been concession of 25 percent. This means that a N20 million property expected to pay N30,720 will now pay N23,040 per annum.
Owner-occupied property will enjoy 15 percent discount. For a N20 million property, this used to be N9,120. Now, it is N7,752 per annum.
JOSHUA BASSEY
