Land Use Charge: Lagos Assembly reveals plan on controversial law

The Lagos State House of Assembly on Monday disclosed that it had set
up a six-man Ad hoc Committee to review the controversial state Land
Use Charge Law, 2018.

Speaker of the House, Mr Mudashiru Obasa, announced the committee at plenary.

Recall that the Governor Ambode-led government, last week reduced the rates.

"As people's representatives, there is need to address the issues
raised by the people," he said.

The Speaker named Mr Bayo Oshinowo, Chairman, House Committee on
Lands, as the Chairman of the Ad hoc Committee, which he urged to
report back to the House in two weeks.

Other members of the committee include Mr Yinka Ogundimu, Chairman,
House Committee on Finance and Mrs Funmilayo Tejuosho, Chairman, House
Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Petitions.

The rest are Mr Tunde Braimoh, Chairman, House Committee on
Information, Strategy and Security, Mr Jude Idimogu (APC-Oshodi-Isolo
II) and Mr Olusola Sokunle (APC-Oshodi-Isolo I).

Obasa said: "I am of the opinion that there is a need for us to pick
up the law and look at those sections that our people perceived to be
obnoxious.

"This will make us address the concerns raised by our people in Lagos State.

"We are representatives of the people and are responsible and
responsive. We need to address the concerns".

He said it was with this view that the ad hoc committee was set up to
look at the law and ensure its amendment based on opinions and
contributions to be received from the people at the second reading
stage.

The speaker, who noted that law making is a process, frowned at the
attitude of people to public hearings on bills.

"We appeal to our people to participate and contribute in the process
of law making during public hearing to make their own contributions.

"This was actually done when this land use charge was in the process
before passage and sending to the governor for assent.

"We invited the public but we didn't hear much from them concerning
all these concerns.

"If only they had responded at that time, probably we would have done
what would be acceptable to all.

"This (the review) is another opportunity for people to be part of the process.

"The committee has been constituted to listen to them and also
consider the position of government as well.

"This is because it will be very difficult to separate government from
taxation. Governance has to be run based on taxes collected by the
government.

"So, we have to look for ways to agree with one another on this," he said.

Obasa said that the first and second readings of the amendment would
be on Tuesday and Thursday respectively.

He said that the public hearing might be Friday or next Monday.