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LAND USE CHARGE LAW; THE FACTS, THE BENEFITS AND THE FUTURE OF LAGOS STATE

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The government of Lagos state is not unaware of the reactions of a section of the public on the reviewed land use charge law of 2001. According to statistics, by 2030, Lagos state is projected to become the third largest consumer market in the world with a population of 35.8 million, closely behind Tokyo and New Delhi. Expectedly, high population growth and rapid urbanisation will put infrastructure and public services under enormous pressure. The question is, are we ready? In order to improve on service delivery, increase internally Generated Revenue (IGR), and not depend on the federal revenue, Lagos State has sought to grow its revenue base by ensuring all economic activities on Real estate gives a return to the government for the sole purpose of improving the living conditions of residents of Lgaos State.

The implemented Land Use Charge Law (LUCL) is a repeal of the Land Use Charge Law 2001, it was reviewed by the Lagos State House of Assembly and signed into Law by the Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode on February 8, 2018. The LUCL 2018 which replaced the 2001 law is a merger of all Property and Land Based Rates and Charges in Lagos State
There was an urgent need for the repeal, as the old law had not been reviewed for over 15years, since 2001. Under the old law, the LUC rate was totally inaccurate and retrogressive which deprived the state of keeping track of all economic activities that relates to land in Lagos State.

The new law is a consolidation of Ground Rent, Tenement Rate, and Neighbourhood Improvement Levy. This charge is payable annually in respect of all real estate properties in the state, which means owners and occupiers holding a lease to a Property for ten (10) years or more are now liable to pay the annual LUC invoice charged.

Thus, the Tenement Rates Law, the Land Based Rates Law, the Neighbourhood Improvement Charge and all other similar Property Rates or Charges, Laws or amendments to any such property Laws shall cease to apply to any property in Lagos State as from 2018. Nonetheless, all pending invoices, orders, rules, regulations, etc. under the 2001 repealed Law shall continue to be in effect until such obligations are discharged.

Amount payable is expected to be made from January 1 of every year and can be calculated by multiplying the Market Value (MV) of that property by the Applicable Relief Rate (RR) and Annual Charge Rate (CR). Upon receiving a notice or not, the new law has made it possible for owners to calculate their charge, and enable prompt payment, which allows them to benefit from a 15% discount for early payment, applicable to payments made within 15 days of receipt of Demand Notice.

For people saying the use of Market Value should not be the basis for deriving the LUC rate. We ask, what better application should be used? The cost of building houses varies according to area, so each property needs to be valued according to its location, in order to achieve a standardized rate for everyone that is progressive and rational. It is instructive to note that, according to the law, the incidence of payment is on the Landlord and not the tenant.

The State Government has made available some exemptions, which means that after some years of paying your LUC, you may fall under the category of property owners who do not need to pay LUC anymore. This exemption applies to pensioners of 60 years and above who are owners and occupiers of the property.

Other properties exempted include; properties used for public and religious activities, properties used as registered educational institutes and charitable activities, , public cemeteries and burial ground and all palaces of recognized Obas and Chiefs in the State.

Furthermore, various reliefs have been made available to payers, they include a general 40% relief for all property liable to LUC payment, a 10% relief for owners and occupiers with persons with disabilities, a 10% relief for owners and occupiers of 70years and above, a 10% relief for properties above 25years, a 5% relief for properties occupied by their owners for over 12years, a 20% relief for non-revenue generating federal and state government property, and 20% partial relief for non-profit making organizations. To enjoy any of these reliefs, applicants must make claims with evidence for approval to the Lagos State Commissioner for Finance.

Let me demonstrate some scenarios here:…
Also, the ministry has engaged professional services of over 100 registered Estate Surveyors and Valuers who in the next six months will visit various properties to get accurate data for valuation that will be used as the basis for billing for another five years. Owners and Occupiers are expected to provide the officials with valid documents to help with the valuation. The LUC 2018 has been reviewed to enable self-assessment, which means property owners can now make their own calculation and know their rate with the help of professional valuers.

The new law also established an Assessment Appeal Tribunal (LUCAAT) which is authorized to adopt the use of Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) in resolving disputes concerning LUC Demand Notice, provided the appeal is lodged within 30 days after the receipt of the Demand Notice. Should any property owner is unsure of his or her LUC bill or assessment, we implore such persons to visit any of our help desks in all the local Government Council Areas or Room 11,Ministry of Finance, Lagos State Secretariat, Alausa, Ikeja or send us an email on luc@lagosstate.gov.ng .We are ready to talk, attend to you and clarify issues on individual basis as tax is a personal affair.

How to pay?

Property owners can pay at any branch of the twenty accredited banks in Lagos State as well as on the available online platforms in the comfort of their homes.

Failure to comply in any form with the LUC Law, obstruct of LUCL officials and/or damage to LUC Property Identification Plaques is an offense punishable under the LUCL.

In order to enable the implementation and enforcement of the new LUC, the Lagos State Government has extended the period for the payment of all annual Land Use Charge Demand Notices for 2018 to April 14, 2018.

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Organiser unveils speakers, panelists for the 2024 Industry Summit

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The organiser of the Industry Summit, an annual gathering for professionals and experts in brand marketing, finance, sustainability, and entertainment, has announced the speakers for the fifth edition of the summit in Lagos.

 

 

 

The event themed: Sustainable Marketing for Growth would feature the marketing director of Nigerian Breweries Plc, Mr. Emmanuel Oriakhi as keynote speaker while the head of unit, sustainability at Access Bank, Mrs. Omobolanle Victor-Laniyan and manager brand, strategy & communications at Stanbic IBTC, Ms. Rita Akao would feature as guest speakers.

 

 

 

The summit, which is scheduled to hold on Friday, May 3rd, 2024 at the Marcelina’s Place Ikeja GRA, Lagos would feature some exhilarating panel sessions with some of the contemporary professionals in the Nigerian brand and marketing industry.

 

 

 

The panelists include; Ms. Chioma Mbanugo, Head of Marketing PZWILMAR, Mr. Abiodun Coker, Team Member Media, UBA, Mrs. Mabel Adeteye, Head, Brand & Marketing Communications, Wema Bank PLC, Mr. Kevin Olumese, Marketing Communications Specialist, and Mr. Adeola Kayode, Head, Brands & Creative Services, 9mobile Nigeria.

 

 

 

Others who have confirmed participation are Ms. Aisha Anaekwe, Head, Brands & Comms, Coronation Group, Mrs. Victoria N’dee Uwadoka, Public Relations, Public Affairs & Sustainability Lead, Nestle Nigeria Plc, Mr. Samson Adeoye, Public Relations Manager, Airtel Nigeria, Mrs. Oluwatosin Odiagbe, Marketing Manager, Simba Solar and Ms. Arinola Shobande, Head of Marketing, Showmax.

 

 

 

While Oriakhi would be speaking to the topic, ““New Age Marketing – Catalyzing Transformation Through Value Chain Innovation, Technology, Analytics & Sustainability”, Victor-Laniyan and Akao would present papers on the topics; “Aligning organizational objectives with sustainable marketing for the good of the people, society and business, and “Reimagining Sustainable Growth Through Green Marketing” respectively.

 

 

 

In the press statement signed by the Publisher of The Industry Newspaper/Convener of The Industry Summit/Awards (TIES), Mr. Goddie Ofose, he said that “The 5th edition of the Industry Summit is focusing on sustainable marketing, which is a purpose-driven practice that works to orientate businesses, brands and society towards a sustainable future, influencing appropriate awareness, aspiration, adoption and action across economic and sociocultural systems by taking necessary accountability for its impacts and opportunities.”

 

 

 

“In today’s ever-evolving world, debating whether to incorporate sustainability into business strategy is no longer an option. Considering a values-driven approach when developing business strategies can be vital to long-term success” he said.

 

 

 

Therefore, we have carefully selected these professionals and experts to deliberate on the subject matter, highlight challenges and proffer solutions where private and public sectors could take lessons from and improve upon whatever they have been doing,’ Ofose added.

 

 

 

The Industry Summit/Awards is a brainchild of The Industry Newspaper Limited, publishers of The Industry Newspaper (theindustry.ng) and 789marketing.ng.

 

 

 

The summit is designed to bring together industry leaders across the continent in all sectors in the quest to rev up conversations that will move the Nigeria business, economy and communication industry forward.

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IBEDC records 1,459 energy theft cases in January, February

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The Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company said it has recorded 1,459 cases of energy theft by its subscribers between January and February 2024.

This was disclosed in a press statement signed by the firm’s Chief Key Accounts Officer, Mr. Johnson Tinuoye, on Tuesday.

IBEDC added that it is actively pursuing investigations and legal actions against individuals and businesses involved in the theft in collaboration with the Federal Government Special Investigation and Prosecution Task Force on Electricity Offences.

Identifying the cases, IBEDC said they included various offences such as meter bypass and illegal meter tampering, which resulted in significant financial losses amounting to hundreds of millions of naira for the company.

The statement read, “We want to send a clear message to our customers that energy theft will not be tolerated. Our collaboration with the Federal Government Special Investigation and Prosecution Task Force on Electricity Offences underscores our commitment to ensuring a fair and just electricity distribution system.

“Energy theft not only undermines the integrity of our operations but also deprives IBEDC of the revenue necessary to provide quality services to our customers.”

Tinuoye emphasised that under the Electricity Act, energy theft is now recognised as a criminal offense, carrying severe penalties including imprisonment stressing, “In the Osun region, two individuals were apprehended for stealing energy through meter bypass and illegal connections. Their cases have been formally charged in court for prosecution.”

IBEDC further urged customers to refrain from engaging in any form of energy theft, emphasising that the consequences can be severe, as there is no room for negotiation with the SIPTEO Task Force team, which is actively patrolling and investigating instances of energy theft for prosecution.

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Copyright Breach: NCC Drags MTN, Others To Court Over Musician’s Works

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The Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC) has filed criminal charges against MTN Nigeria Communications Ltd. and four others over alleged copyright infringement.

The charge with number FHC/ABJ/CR/111/2024 filed in the Abuja Division of the Federal High Court was obtained by journalists on Monday.

News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reported that the four other defendants in the case include the chief executive officer of MTN Nigeria, Karl Toriola; Nkeakam Abhulimen, Fun Mobile Ltd.; and Yahaya Maibe.

In the three-count charge, NCC alleged that the defendants, between 2010 and 2017, “offered for sale, sold and traded for business’’, infringed the musical works of an artiste, Maleke Idowu Moye, without his consent and authorisation.

The commission alleged that the defendants used musical works and sound recordings of Mr Maleke with subsisting copyright as caller ringback tunes without the authorisation of the artiste.

The musician’s musical works and sound recordings allegedly infringed upon included 911, Minimini-wanawana, Stop Racism, Ewole, 911 instrumental, Radio, Low Waist, and No Bother.

The defendants were also alleged to have distributed the musical works to their subscribers without authorisation, thereby infringing on the rights of the artiste.

In the third count, the defendants were alleged to have in their possession, other than for their private or domestic use, the artiste’s musical works and sound recordings.

According to NCC, the alleged offences are contrary to and punishable under section 20 (2) (a) (b) and (c) of the Copyright Act, Cap. C28, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.

The case has yet to be assigned to any judge, and no date has been fixed for the mention.

Meanwhile, no official statement has been released by any of the defendants as at the time of filing this report, while all efforts to get reactions from MTN by New Telegraph proved abortive.

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