Land Use Charge is Conspiracy Against the Masses – NAPS

Segun Atanda/

The National Association of Polytechnic Students has described the newly-introduced Land Use Charge in Lagos State as a conspiracy against the masses.

NAPS said in statement today that poor people would suffer most from the LUC as landlords would invariably shelve the burden of the increased bill for their tenants to bear.

The statement signed by the public relations officer, Olasunkanmi Ijaduoye, described the reductions announced by the state government as “petty” and demanded a further reduction in the charges to reflect the prevailing economic realities of the masses.

It appealed to the Lagos State government to consider the plight of the average Nigerian family, who are already overwhelmed by the burden of surviving the current economic hardship and not do anything to further compound their sufferings.

NAPS nonetheless commended Governor Akinwunmi Ambode for his demonstrable desire to transform Lagos State through massive investment in infrastructure.

The statement reads in part: “The National Association of Polytechnic Students (NAPS) frowns at the newly-imposed Land Use Charge and other tax reviews in Lagos State, as well as the petty reduction in the charges announced by the government.

“Before proceeding, the leadership of NAPS commends Governor Akinwunmi Ambode’s desire to build world class infrastructure in Lagos State and improve the well-being of its citizens.

“At the same time, it saddens our hearts that Governor Akinwunmi Ambode has directly shown the cruel side of his administration, not minding the prevailing hardship and the inconveniences Nigerians are suffering under the Buhari-led administration.

“NAPS believes that tax reforms of the 21st century mean rewarding hardworking families by closing unfair loopholes and lowering tax rates across board. It demands reducing the tax burden on citizens so they can keep more of their income to invest in our communities, but the reverse is the case here.

“NAPS is using this medium to inform Governor Ambode that the percentage of the announced reduction so far is nothing to write about. Also, the probability of the governor having a booming and flourishing economy is very slim if he maintains the current high level of taxation.”

The student body warned the government against pressuring “our hardworking parents/guardians, who are still struggling to pay tuition fees” with the additional burden of increased taxation.

It also urged the people of the state to join forces with all groups advocating further reduction of the LUC or its outright cancellation.

The statement added: “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 payment to their already overwhelmed tenants. In the end, it is the poor among the populace that will suffer the most.”

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