Only 600,000 Lagosians are ‘up to date with tax’

Steve Ayorinde, Lagos state commissioner for information and strategy, says only 600,000 Lagosians have paid their taxes up to date.

The state has a population of over 18 million people.

In a statement on Monday, the commissioner said the Lagos state government had directed all its revenue agencies to enforce tax payments.

Ayorinde said Akinwumi Ambode, governor of the state, has expressed concern over the situation, which according to him would adversely affect the infrastructural renewal drive of the state government.

He said the state government is committed to completing all ongoing projects but that completion is dependent on prompt payment of taxes.

He said some of the major ongoing projects include the Oshodi Transport Interchange and the reconstruction of Oshodi International airport road, among others.

He also said the government has commenced the construction of roads between the boundaries of Lagos and Ogun to ease movement and enhance business activities between the two states.

“These projects have already begun in earnest. The construction of the 181 roads earmarked across the 57 local councils, which is now an annual ritual of this government, will commence anytime soon and much more too numerous to mention,” he said.

“The will and commitment of the governor Akinwunmi Ambode administration are to ensure that all these projects are completed before 2019, but the possibility of achieving such will require taxable citizens of the state who have not been paying their taxes to start doing so.

“This administration is grateful to Lagosians who have supported the government, particularly in the discharge of their civic responsibility through payment of taxes. That is the oil that keeps the engine and wheels of government moving smoothly but when there are no resources, these laudable projects would be stalled.

“No government in the world can achieve its set out objectives without funds and these funds are available largely from what residents pay as taxes. It is, therefore, expedient that taxes should be paid correctly as at when due.”