Ajah-Lekki landlords decry hike in Lagos land use charge

Property owners in Lekki-Ajah axis of the state have kicked against the new tax regime.

According to a landlord, who preffered anonymity, “if the government was living up to its responsibility, any increase would be justified, but when everyone is his own local council, proving water, security and inner city roads, on what basis is the increase justified.”

A pensioner in Ajah told The Guardian that all he has left is his property. “The taxes are hitting our pockets harshly. By implications, government has effectively taken over, with the tax that will be paid in perpetuity and due for review in another five years. ”

Another landlord at Victoria City Garden (VGC) wants Lagosians to massively join the protest. He pointed out that if the tenants are complacent or not concerned, they will end up paying it through their rents.

“Must Lagos become a so-called paradise at the expense of lives and limbs of Lagosians. Ambode should not let people regret voting for him the first time and go on to reject him for a second term.”

It would be recalled that on Wednesday, the Ikeja branch of the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA) called on the Lagos State governor, Akinwunmi Ambode, to revert to the old land use charge, car registration and filing cost of litigation or face massive protest by the people in the state.

Chairman of the branch, Mr. Adesina Ogunlana, disclosed this while addressing newsmen, saying that the branch would on Tuesday, next week, embark on a street protest tagged ‘walk the talk’ to protest against the more than 400 per cent increment in land use charge and another 300 per cent hike in car registration without consulting the people.