Sanctions to defaulters under the Reviewed Land Use Charge (LUC) Law of Lagos are too severe and not in tandem with democratic ideals.
Babatunde Ruwase, the President of Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), made the observation in Lagos on Friday during a stakeholders’ forum on Lagos Land Use Charge Law 2018.
He said that while the chamber would not encourage or support any form of infractions of the law, the sanctions must be proportional and fair.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Land Use Charge Law stipulates a 25 per cent increase in charge if payment was not made between 45 and 75 days.
It also prescribed a 50 per cent increase after 105 days and a 100 per cent increase if payment cannot be made between 75 to 105 days.
The law further prescribed that a property shall be liable to enforcement if payment is not made after 135 days of notice.
“There would be instances where the citizens are willing to pay, but just do not have the capacity to pay, given the state of the economy.
“The Nigerian economy is only just gradually recovering from recession. Many companies are yet to return to profitability.
“Industrial capacity utilisation has declined, purchasing power is still very weak, occupancy rate in many commercial and residential properties are still very low. Read more