Members of Nigerian Bar Association, National Conscience Party, Committee for the Defence of Human Rights and Joint Action Committee, among others on Tuesday protested against the new Lagos State Land Use Charge Law 2018. According to Punch, the groups stormed the Lagos State Government’s secretariat in Alausa, Ikeja, to protest against the new law, saying it had led to a hike in the levies charged by government on property.
The ‘Hell Tax Must Go’ protest started from the Lagos State Magistrate’s Court in Ikeja, from where the protesters marched to the Government House and the Lagos State House of Assembly complex in Alausa.
The aggrieved protesters displayed placards with various inscriptions such as ‘We are not selling houses,’ ‘Lagos is not only for the rich,’ and ‘Land Use Charge increment is wicked and oppressive.’
The Chairman of NBA, Ikeja Branch, Adesina Ogunlana who submitted their protest letter described the law as "Pharaohoic tax regime", calling on the government to reverse it.
“Must Lagos become a so-called paradise at the expense of the 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. We urge that you suspend the application of Land Use Charge Law for immediate review. The truth is that the populace lacks the capacity to bear the tax burden imposed on them.”
The Commissioner of Information and Strategy, Kehinde Bamigbetan, who received the protesters assured that the letter would be forwarded to the state governor. “We have received your letter and I can assure you that we will address your demands. The governor is open to dialogue.”
