Ambode Should Scrap Land Use Charge – Bode George

Olabode George, former Deputy National Chairman of the Peoples
Democratic Party (PDP), has condemned the 50 per cent reduction of
the Land Use Charge by the Lagos State Government, asking Governor
Akinwunmi Ambode to scrap it completely.

George told DAILY INDEPENDENT, weekend, that Lagosians were
already breaking themselves free from the yoke imposed on them by
the All Progressives Congress (APC), adding that the astronomical
increase in the Land Use Charge is an overkill that will inflict
more hardship on them.

He said while it is true that the governor has done well,
especially in the area of infrastructure, he should not punish
Lagosians through overtax and bills.

“The people of Lagos are gravitating to now realise that they
can’t continue under this yoke of the emperor in Lagos. When
Governor Ambode increased Land Use Charge, you can see the reaction
of the people.

“I don’t know Ambode from Adam, but I saw what he did in Epe and
I said the young man had endeared himself to me. I know the old
sleepy village of Epe; but go there now, he has really transformed
the place and the people believed in him and trusted him to allow
the government to demolish some houses.

“Now, economic activities will come there. He is giving them a
lifeline. That is what a manager does. That is a politician. I have
never met him; but I said here is a man that is doing well.

“But when he came with the Land Use Charge, I said you are
overdriving this management. People are hungry, both rich and poor.
If you increase Land Use Charge by 500 per cent, the landlords will
transfer it to the tenant. So, who will be happy?

“Are you expected as the manager of the people to inflict more
hardship and pain on the people or to assuage their pains? My
suggestion is that that 50 per cent reduction is not enough, he
should scrap it completely; otherwise it is impunity in an election
year. Absolute impunity! And then when I saw that bill that Alpha
Beta will be collecting the charge, I said what? Nobody knows where
that will end,” he said.

Olabode George, former Deputy National Chairman of the Peoples
Democratic Party (PDP), has condemned the 50 per cent reduction of
the Land Use Charge by the Lagos State Government, asking Governor
Akinwunmi Ambode to scrap it completely.

George told DAILY INDEPENDENT, weekend, that Lagosians were
already breaking themselves free from the yoke imposed on them by
the All Progressives Congress (APC), adding that the astronomical
increase in the Land Use Charge is an overkill that will inflict
more hardship on them.

He said while it is true that the governor has done well,
especially in the area of infrastructure, he should not punish
Lagosians through overtax and bills.

“The people of Lagos are gravitating to now realise that they
can’t continue under this yoke of the emperor in Lagos. When
Governor Ambode increased Land Use Charge, you can see the reaction
of the people.

“I don’t know Ambode from Adam, but I saw what he did in Epe and
I said the young man had endeared himself to me. I know the old
sleepy village of Epe; but go there now, he has really transformed
the place and the people believed in him and trusted him to allow
the government to demolish some houses.

“Now, economic activities will come there. He is giving them a
lifeline. That is what a manager does. That is a politician. I have
never met him; but I said here is a man that is doing well.

“But when he came with the Land Use Charge, I said you are
overdriving this management. People are hungry, both rich and poor.
If you increase Land Use Charge by 500 per cent, the landlords will
transfer it to the tenant. So, who will be happy?

“Are you expected as the manager of the people to inflict more
hardship and pain on the people or to assuage their pains? My
suggestion is that that 50 per cent reduction is not enough, he
should scrap it completely; otherwise it is impunity in an election
year. Absolute impunity! And then when I saw that bill that Alpha
Beta will be collecting the charge, I said what? Nobody knows where
that will end,” he said.