A former governor of Lagos State, Babatunde Fashola, has advised the Lagos State government led by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu to reduce levies and taxes to ease the current economic challenges on the residents.

Mr Fashola said this at the Lagos State 18th edition of the Executive and Legislative Parley on Friday at the Eko Hotels and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos. The annual event reviews the activities and mandates of each arm of government, and discusses social-economic issues in the state.

Mr Fashola, a former Minister of Works and Housing, commended Mr Sanwo-Olu for putting measures in place to cushion the effects of the fuel subsidy removal.

He said that, in addition to the school feeding initiative and reducing the cost of transportation, reducing levies and taxes in other sectors would help a great deal.

“I’d like to make additional suggestions. I’d like to advise that, in line with finding succour for residents of our great state with the current economic situation, I think reducing levies and taxes would help,” said Mr Fashola.

He added, “There must be a balance. I remember during the Ebola crisis, the Association of Tourism and Hotel Owners approached us (the government) and said we should suspend the consumption tax, which we did. These are some of the ways we can bring relief to the people of Lagos State.”

Mr Fashola, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), urged the state government to find a way of redistributing wealth and give small businesses succour.

“We must meet with small businesses across the senatorial districts, state legislature should hold town hall meetings to understand their needs and demands.

“We have more money in the hands of the people; we need to roll out public works in construction, supply, etc. We need to find a way to redistribute wealth,” the former governor said.

According to Mr Fashola, representatives of the people at various levels must check themselves and see if they have represented the interests of the people they represent.

“They should ask, do I still live in the constituency I represent? Do I truly represent them? Do I know where it pinches, and do I know where it hurts?” Mr Fashola added.

The event was attended by legislators in the Lagos House of Assembly, representatives of the various constituencies of the state in the National Assembly, Governing Advisory Council members and other key stakeholders. 

(NAN)