LUC: Police warn protesters planning to block Third Mainland Bridge as Real Estate stakeholders hail 50% reduction

The Lagos State Police Command on Sunday warned some protesters planning to block Third Mainland Bridge and other critical public infrastructure in Lagos over the new Land Use Charge (LUC) of the State Government, saying any attempt to breach public peace will be met with stiff resistance.
The police, in a statement by the Public Relations Officer of the Command, SP Chike Oti, said up till now, those behind the planned protest were yet to apply for necessary permit, and that it was in their interest to follow the rule of law to ventilate whatever grievances with government.
 
According to the statement, Oti said: “The attention of Lagos State Police Command has been drawn to the news making the rounds that a group of persons under the sponsorship of some mischief makers, and who are masquerading as civil rights activists, intends to block the Third Mainland Bridge and occupy some critical public infrastructures in Lagos to protest the increase in the Land Use Charge by the government of Lagos state.
 
“The Command wishes to warn those concerned that any attempt by any individual or group of persons to cause a breach of the peace or infringe on the rights of others to pursue their daily aspirations, would be met with stiff resistance.”
 
While recalling a recent protest by the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Ikeja branch on the new LUC, the police spokesman said it was important for the necessary application to that effect to be made to prevent the protest from being hijacked by hoodlums which ultimately would threaten the peace of the State.
 
“As it stands, the Commissioner of Police, Lagos State has not received a single application from any group wishing to carry out protest in any part of the state. It is therefore advised that these individuals wanting to protest government decision should consult with the police as it was the case with the Nigeria Bar Association before they carried out their very peaceful protest for which the police provided the needed security and ensured it was not hijacked by hoodlums. 
 
“Once again, the Command wishes to reiterate that it would not allow any group of protesters to compromise the peace in Lagos State in whatever guise. Any group of persons that feel strongly against any policies of the government should explore the judiciary option instead of endangering the public peace,” Oti said.
Meanwhile, Mr. Olurogba Orinmalade, Chairman, Lagos State chapter of the Nigeria Institution of Estate Surveyors and Valuers (NIESV), has hailed Governor Akinwunmi Ambode’s gesture in slashing the new Land Use Charge for commercial properties by 50 per cent.
At a stakeholders’ meeting held at The Protea Hotels, GRA, Ikeja, Lagos, Orimalade described the Ambode-led administration as a listening government and
pledged his association’s support for the new law and all other progressive decisions of the government going forward.
In his words: “We are committed to working with the present Lagos State administration to make the new law succeed and we have already set up a technical committee to come up in 10 days, with directions, recommendations and
position of the Institution on the law in order to collaborate with the government for a better society.
Ifeoma George, Vice President, Nigeria Institute of Architects, said at the meeting that “this is a listening government and propose that stakeholders should continue to be carried along in all government dealings, going forward “. The event was a meeting with professionals in the real estate sector.
Commissioner for Finance, Lagos State, Mr. Akinyemi Ashade, took the opportunity to further enumerate other reliefs entailed in the amended Land Use Charge Law.
He emphasised that the state government was opened
to further discussions on how to solve the challenges plaguing infrastructural financing and investments in Lagos State.
He also mentioned that there will be no penalty for late payment in 2018 regime as earlier stipulated.
Furthermore, the amended Land Use Charge
Law is a property tax that consolidates the tenement rate, Neighbourhood Improvement rate and Ground rent.
Outside of the commercial properties, properties occupied by owners and third party used for commercial purposes will get a further 25% discount, while a wholly owner-occupied property will get an additional 15 per cent discount as graciously pronounced by the government. In addition to
these, all the other reliefs enumerated at the inception of the amended law remains valid.
These include 40% general relief across board,
meaning that whatever is the value of the property, 40% will be deducted and the charge will only be calculated on the remaining 60%. For elder citizens above 70years old, there is an additional 10% discount. For those living with any form of disability, there is also 10% discount while properties that are 25 years old and above will also enjoy another 10% discount. Above all, payments can be staggered across the year to soothe the economic convenience of the payer.
The commissioner also emphasised that self-assessment of property will be encouraged to help individuals calculate their charges appropriately.
They are allowed to use their independent Estate Valuers to assess their property and bring such discrepancies up to the government for reconciliation.
The state government, according to Ashade, is opened to discussions and ever willing and ready to dialogue on the Land Use Charge Law or any other government policy for that matter.
Everyone present at the meeting agreed and fully appreciated the unparalleled efforts of the state government in turning around the infrastructural fortunes of the state. They pledged their loyalty and support to the government’s efforts towards the Lagos Mega City Drive.
To buttress this point, members of the Estate Agents Association present, pledged to partner with the state government in advising the landlords to speedily pay Land Use Charge.
The stakeholders meeting had in attendance professional associations and bodies like Nigeria Institution of Estate Surveyors and Valuers (NIESV), Faculty of Estate Agency and Auctioneering, International Real Estate Federation, Nigerian Institute of Architects, Association of Builders &
Property Developers, and Association of Town Planners and Estate Agents of Nigeria.