Fashola urges Sanwo-Olu to reduce taxes, levies amid economic hardship
By Jeph Ajobaju, Chief Copy Editor
Former Lagos Governor Babatunde Fashola has urged current helmsman Babajide Sanwo-Olu to reduce taxes and levies to enable Lagosians breathe in the face of economic hardship which makes life and living nearly impossible.
Fashola – one of the best performing Governors Lagos has ever had in recent history – in a rare intervention in the activities of a successor, made the call on Sanwo-Olu at the Lagos State 18th Edition of the Executive and Legislative Parley held at Eko Hotels and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos.
The annual parley
- Reviews the activities and mandates of each of the three arms of government and
- Discusses prevailing social-economic issues and develops a strategy for dealing with potential areas of conflict in the overall interest of the state.
Fashola, who went to serve as Minister in the Muhammadu Buhari administration, applauded Sanwo-Olu for implementing measures to cushion the effect of fuel subsidy removal, but stressed the government needs to do more.
He said apart from feeding school children and reducing the cost of transportation, the reduction of levies and taxes in other sectors would help a great deal.
His words: “The Lagos State government deserves to be commended for the feeding initiative and for also reducing the cost of transportation in the state; this is commendable, and I applaud Gov. Sanwo-Olu.
“I’d like to make additional suggestions. I’d like to advise that, in line with finding succour for residents of our great state with the current economic situation, I think reducing levies and taxes would help.
“There must be a balance. I remember during the Ebola crisis, the Association of Tourism and Hotel Owners approached us (the government) then that we should suspend the consumption tax, which we did.
“These are some of the ways we can bring relief to the people of Lagos State.
“It is important to increase the quantum of money for disposal. There must be a balance in governance.”
Succour for small businesses, wealth redistribution
Fashola also urged the Lagos government to redistribute wealth and give small businesses succour.
“We must meet with small businesses across the senatorial districts, state legislature should hold town hall meetings to understand their needs and demands.
“We have more money in the hands of the people; we need to roll out public works in construction, supply, etc. We need to find a way to redistribute wealth.”
Fashola said representatives of the people at various levels must check themselves and see if they truly represent the interests of the people they are supposed to represent.
“They should ask, do I still live in the constituency I represent; do I truly represent them; do I know where it pinches, and do I know where it hurts?”
__________________________________________________________________
Related articles:
Fashola alerts on roles of government, citizens in social contract
Fashola stresses need to translate research into practical products for economic growth
Fashola pins state development on Governors, not Abuja
Fashola seeks ‘well rounded education’ to facilitate peaceful coexistence
________________________________________________________________
