The Lagos state government has unveiled a sensitisation campaign to promote the payment of the Land Use Charge (LUC) in the state.

It also engaged 500 ad hoc staff for awareness and advocacy.

The commissioner for finance, Abayomi Oluyomi, at the flag-off of the campaign, urged property owners to pay their LUC to support the government’s development initiatives.

The campaign began in Lagos Island, Iru Victoria Island, and Eti-Osa Local Government/Local Council Development Areas.

Mr Oluyomi said, “The “Operation Payers Activation” campaign is crucial for increasing the state’s internally generated revenue (IGR) to fund substantial infrastructure projects.”

He also said that LUC taxes were a vital source of revenue for providing socio-economic infrastructure and amenities.

“The development of any society relies on its residents adhering to tax payments.

“I appeal to property owners to support this initiative, come forward, and be counted. This is essential for Nigeria’s development.”

Mr Oluyomi noted that the 2024 budget anticipates expenditures of approximately N2.2 trillion, with nearly 70 per cent of the IGR funding the state’s budget.

He stressed that LUC is a significant revenue source, and compliance is necessary for driving development.

While providing a history of the LUC, he noted that even after 23 years, many wealthy individuals were not compliant with payments.

Mr Oluyomi, however, said that such payment is a civic responsibility.

He noted that it is unfair for some people to consistently refuse to pay while others comply.

The commissioner said that a 15 per cent discount had been attached as an incentive to encourage payers.

During the campaign, the commissioner and ad hoc staff distributed reminder bills to properties in the Eti-Osa Local Government area.

Mr Oluyomi instructed the staff on how to handle their assignments positively.

The campaign will be conducted daily across all councils for one month, with legal action threatened against non-compliant property owners.

The special adviser to the governor on taxation and revenue, Abdul-Kabir Ogungbo, appealed to property owners to cooperate with the ad hoc staff.

The permanent secretary of the ministry of finance, Temitope Hundogan, said that the sensitisation aimed to ensure compliance with LUC payments.

He mentioned that, unlike previous administrations that penalised defaulters, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s administration replaced sanctions with incentives.

He encouraged property owners to take advantage of the approach to pay up.

(NAN)