Lagos Assembly holds hearing on levies

Mr Adeola Olamilekan, Chairman of the Finance Committee in his speech said the issue of collection of levies had now become controversial in the state, following erroneous information being passed to unsuspecting individuals and corporate bodies. Mr Adeola explained, “some people have refused to pay levies to local government due to cases of malpractices involving […]

Mr Adeola Olamilekan, Chairman of the Finance Committee in his speech said the issue of collection of levies had now become controversial in the state, following erroneous information being passed to unsuspecting individuals and corporate bodies.

Mr Adeola explained, “some people have refused to pay levies to local government due to cases of malpractices involving unthorised officials collecting illegal fees and levies.” Continuing, he noted that there were allegations that a levy collected by the state was appropriated to the detriment of Local Governments.

He therefore assured the stakeholders that their concerns would be addressed in the bill to debunk rumours and ensure levies collected were properly used for the benefit of the Local Councils.

Speaker, Lagos State House of Assembly, Mr Adeyemi Ikuforiji said it was  only when the Local Councils were able to collect their due that  they could  hold them accountable for non performance.

He urged the participants to make their honest views on the levies, assuring them that the house was ready to do what was needed to empower the Local Government Councils.

Giving an overview of the bill, Mr Kolawole Taiwo, Majority Leader said the bill was to address the anomalies in levies charged by Local Councils.

“Section 1 gives the councils the power to collect the levies listed in the schedule, while section 4 deals with the approved list of levies,”he added.

According to Kolawole, other sections of the bill deals with the identification of a revenue officer, conditions for appointment of revenue agents, how information about the levies is to be displayed to create awareness among the people and so on.

Furthermore, Kolawole listed some of the levies to be collected as , shops and kiosks rates; approved open market levy; tenement rates; street naming registration fee; motor park levy, domestic animal levy; radio and television license fee, cemetery and burial ground permit etc.

However Jaiyeoba Abayomi representative of the Chartered Institute of Taxation said although the Local Government was authorized to collect levies, those to be appointed must be members of the institute to avoid fraud.