SMEs in Lagos groaning over arbitrary levies, permits

By Franklin Alli

The Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry, LCCI, has cried out over activities of the Local Councils and state revenue collectors, warning that they are threatening the existence and survival of businesses in the state, especially the Small and Medium Enterprises, SMEs.

LCCI’s President, Alhaji Remi Bello, made this observation during a public-private dialogue session tagged ‘Corporate Assembly with Governor Babatunde Fashola’, held at the Lekki free trade zone area of the state.

He commended Governor Fashola and his team for an exemplary performance in infrastructure development, security of lives; environmental improvement and beautifications, etc, but said, “I would like to draw attention to some issues of concern to the business community in the state.

“Your Excellency let me affirm that the Chamber believes that all citizens (corporate and individuals) have a responsibility to discharge their statutory obligations to government at all levels. However, we have issues with the manner in which the local government councils manage this aspect of their functions. There are concerns about the method, the process and transparency. There are several instances of arbitrariness in the imposition of levies.

“Most often, these are at variance with approved rates. Some specific examples are as follows:  “Radio and Television Permit: Many organisations have suffered embarrassment following demand by Local Council officials for radio and television permit. Again this comes with a lot of arbitrariness with rates ranging from ¦  50,000 per annum to ¦ 200,000 per annum.

“Only recently, a Local Government Council sealed up the premises of a company for failure to pay 200,000 for radio and television permits whereas the approved rate is ¦ 10,000.

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