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The following are
some crucial information releases pertaining to the EBS-RCM:
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Lagos To Spend N2Billion On Beautification Projects
The Punch, May 05, 2008
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As a way of intensifying its efforts in giving Lagos a new look, the Lagos State Government has set apart N2billion for the purpose of landscaping and beautification projects across the state. The projects include the rehabilitation of Ojota Garden, landscaping and beautification of triangular lay-by between Palmgrove and Obanikoro on Ikorodu Road, Mobolaji Bank Anthony Way, Warders’ Barracks and the loops along the Third Mainland Bridge. Others are Ijora Causeway Apapa, the two loops at Ikeja Airport, Isheri Oworonshoki via the old Lagos tollgate and the Ozumba Mbadiwe /Akin Adesola /Adeola Hopewell roundabout in Victoria Island.
According to the state’s Commissioner for Environment, Mr. Muiz Banire during an assessment tour of the various project areas said that the areas like the loops, medians, open spaces etc. which used to be hideouts for criminals as well as some of them that has constituted an environmental nuisance on account of filth and offensive sight due to long abandonment would be transformed to recreational parks while some would simply be landscaped and beautified for aesthetic purpose.
In addition the project, most of which is awarded to contractors while only few are been undertaken by the ministry is also designed to provide employment for area boys and other jobless youth in the localities. Hence the scope of the project will include site clearing, excavation, landscaping, construction of irrigation, walkways, lightening and planting of flowers, while the duration is expected to range between six weeks and three months.
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Nigerians Yet To Cultivate Tax Payment Culture
The Punch, April 29, 2008
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The Special Adviser to Lagos State Governor on Taxation and Revenue, Mr. Ade Ipaye while giving analysis on the state’s government strategies on revenue generation from taxes at the 4th Lagos Economic Summit has highlighted on the fact that most Nigerians still lacked the culture of paying taxes without being compelled to do so. He therefore suggested that in order to move the nation forward, paying of individual taxes should be embraced and accepted as a mark of responsibility.
Furthermore, Mr. Ade Ipaye also disclosed that the reluctance of Nigerians to paying of taxes can be traced to the country’s over reliance on revenue from oil as well as the monthly allocation from the Federal Government, however, the recent warning of the Federal Government to all states of impending decline in federal allocation to them has necessitated the need to encourage internal sources of revenue generation through taxes.
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Lagos Introduces Self – Assessment Tax Scheme
The Punch, April 23, 2008
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In furtherance of its quest to enhance the efficiency of tax payment and collection as a way of boosting the Internally Generated Revenue (IGR), the Lagos State Government has introduced a Self Assessment Filling System for individual tax payers in the state.
According to the Executive Chairman of the Lagos State Internal Revenue Service (LIRS), Mr. Tunde Fowler, the new scheme which is aimed at making tax payment convenient and as well expand the tax payers list, will be such that individual can conveniently pay their taxes at any of the 1,200 (One Thousand) branches of the designated banks as well as all the LIRS tax stations spanned all over the state and receive their receipts within 72 (Seventy Two) hours of payment.
Furthermore as a way of encouraging Lagos residents to embrace tax payments as a measure of their responsibility to the society, thereby making them pay taxes voluntarily without been forced, enlightenment efforts has been boosted through tax campaigns in the print media, radio and television. Hence, tax campaigns have been taken to traditional rulers and major trade associations as a way of co-opting them into the tax drive.
Moreover, as a means of taking tax awareness and education to the potential tax paying public as well as bringing the tax assessment and revenue collection closer to them, the LISR has also established physical presence in 24 (twenty four) major markets throughout the state.
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Lagos 2008 Great Leap Budget On Course
The Punch, April 19, 2008
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The Lagos State Governor, Barrister Babatunde Fashola while responding to questions from Government House correspondents after presiding over the first ever Quarterly Budget Review at the new Lagos House, Alausa, has stated that the 2008 Great Leap Budget is on course, but it would require adequate funding to achieve its target.
Governor Fashola also highlighted on the main focus of the budget to include roads and infrastructure development, transportation, environment, health, water and public service reform. He however stressed on the fact that tax remained the key strategy for development and that the state government would leave no stone unturned in its efforts to ensure effective tax collection system. Moreso that the decision to renew the performance of the budget quarterly as against half-yearly is borne out of the need to ensure effective budget implementation.
Moreover, he also charged religious leaders to partner with the state government in the regular payment of taxes, that the state government would no longer transact business with individuals and organization without evidence of tax payment in the last three years.
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Fashola Kicks Off BRT, Seeks Motorists Support
The Guardian, March 18, 2008
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Motorists plying Ikorodu road has been urged to observe the rules guiding the operations of the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT). While launching the take-off of the BRT scheme on Ikorodu road, the Governor of Lagos State, Barrister Babatunde Fashola further appealed specially to military men, police officers, bullion van drivers and other motorists to support the project, in addition that violators of the rules of the scheme would be punished irrespective of their status, moreso that Lagos Metropolitan Area Authority (LAMATA) has spent weeks educating the motoring public about the regulations.
Moreover, Governor Fashola thanked Lagosian for their understanding while construction works for the take-off of the BRT project lasted.
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LASTMA Officials Ordered To Arrest Drunk Drivers
The Punch, January 09, 2008
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As a way of curbing the high rate of accidents on Lagos roads, the state government has directed officials of the Lagos State Traffic Monitoring Agency (LASTMA) to arrest any motorists suspected to be driving under the influence of alcohol
According to the state commissioner for Transportation, Prof. Bamidele Badejo while receiving some alcohol testing kits from the Medical Director of Q – Medical Diagnostics Centre, Dr Emmanuel Ugbechie recently, stated that 70% of traffic accidents are caused by human errors including driving under the influence of alcohol.
He therefore charged motorists to desist from taking alcohol before driving and also that they should always endeavor to obey traffic regulations.
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Lagos Introduces New Tax Regime
The Guardian, January 2, 2008
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In its determined bid to generate more revenue and as well to pay dedicated attention to developing tourist industry in the state, the Lagos State government has proposed a bill on the collection of Hotel Occupancy and Restaurant Consumption Tax.
Disclosing this recently, the Special Adviser to the state governor on Taxation and Revenue, Mr. Ade Ipaye stated that the bill which has already been adopted by the state executive will be forwarded to the House of Assembly for legislation and public hearing.
He further highlighted that the concept of the bill will be such that hotels, restaurants and event places will be exempted from payment of sales tax, while their customers would be made to pay the new 5% tax on every service derived from using the facilities provided.
Moreover, the aim of the government is to get the much desired revenue for the maintenance and provision of needed infrastructure and as well the new tax will serve as a way of redistributing wealth in the state. More…
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Lagos Begins Fresh Move To Decongest Traffic on Feeder Roads
The Punch, November 21, 2007
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The Lagos State Commissioner for Transport Prof. Dele Badejo who was ably represented by Mr. Remi Thomas who is the Director of Public Transport in the ministry at a recent stakeholders meeting said that the new initiative is expected to be functionally efficient in revenue generation as well as cooperating with other law enforcement agents and relevant unions for a seamless and effective traffic management.
Highlighting more on the new arrangement, the Managing Director of LAMATA, Dr. Dayo Mobereola said that the agency commissioned the study when it observed that the problem of congestion on roads still persisted despite government efforts at ensuring free flow of traffic. Hence the idea behind setting up the Traffic Management Units (TMU) at the local council levels is to create efficiency in the control and management of vehicular traffic in each local government areas.
Dr. Mobereola further said that the council traffic officers are expected to control traffic on the secondary and tertiary roads, remove hindrances to free flow of traffic, identify alternative routes during peak period and punish errant drivers. Also the setting up of the TMU is a way of involving the local government councils most meaningfully in the administration and control of traffic within their jurisdiction.
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Lagos Projects 10bn Monthly Revenue
The Punch, November 21, 2007
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In its bid to attain its projected figure of an average monthly revenue of N10billion, the Lagos State government has unveiled a new tax administration structure called the Lagos State Internal Revenue Service (LSIRS)
The Special Adviser to the State Governor on Taxation and Revenue Matters, Mr. Ade Ipaye said that high incidence of tax evasion and several complaints from various taxpayers had necessitated the move to fine-tune the tax structure , hence a new law called the Lagos State Tax Administration Law has been put in place to re-establish the existing Board of Internal Revenue.
Mr. Ade Ipaye further added that the re-organisational plan is aimed at creating an enabling environment such that taxpayers relating with the new structure will notice a change of attitude as well as a heightened level of professionalism and integrity.
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BRT: No Respite Yet For Motorists On Ikorodu Road
The Punch, October 04, 2007
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Commuters and motorists who have been expecting an end to their nightmare which they experience daily on Ikorodu road would have to wait for a while. This is because the construction work on creating dedicated lane on each side of the road for the use of the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) luxury buses has not been completed.
According to Mr. Kola Ojelabi who is the Senior Specialist on Public Affairs of LAMATA, the construction was being delayed due to circumstances beyond the control of the agency. He further highlighted on the three main reasons that has delayed the take-off of the running of the BRT buses and they are; firstly, lack of bitumen which has hampered the repair of parts of the service lanes to make them motorable to the commercial buses and other vehicles restricted to that portion of the road. The second reason has to do with advent of the rain which cannot be controlled, while the third reason has to do with the activities of a gas company that has been laying gas pipes along the corridor of the road.
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Fresh Move To Decongest Lagos Traffic
The Punch, August 21, 2007
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In its conscious effort to solve the incessant problem of traffic congestion on Lagos roads, the Lagos State government has introduced a comprehensive Traffic Operations Manual (TOM) to enhance better understanding of road signs by commuters and motorists.
Highlighting on this new development, the state Commissioner for Transport, Mr. Dele Badejo said that the Manual which is first of its kind in the country, was produced by Lagos State Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA) in conjunction with Parkman Nigeria Limited, in addition that apart from the fact that the manual would be backed up with relevant legislation, its usage is expected to restore sanity on major roads in the metropolis by ensuring free flow of traffic.
Speaking further on the Traffic Operations Manual (TOM), the Managing Director of LAMATA, Dr. Dayo Mobereola said that in order to enhance easy understanding, the manual has been translated into local languages, hence motorists and commuters will know what to do when they see road signs conspicuously mounted at a particular point, also passengers are not expected to wait for buses unless they get to the bus stop where the sign has been mounted.
However the Traffic Operations Manual which is also expected to guarantee efficient use of road and reduce accidents on the roads is structured into three modules namely: the traffic control signs, the warning signs and the regulatory/mandatory/prohibitory signs.
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Yar’Adua Releases N10Bn Seized Lagos Funds
The Punch, July 24, 2007
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President Umaru Yar’Adua has ordered the office of the Accountant – General of the Federation to immediately release the withheld funds of Lagos State government councils.
The fund which comprises of Statutory Revenue Allocation of N7,300,897,108=79; Value Added Tax of N3,004,610,068=41; Excess Crude of N481,230,431.22 and other revenue totaling N42,788,792=01 was seized in April, 2004 by Former President Olusegun Obasanjo when Lagos State government created additional local government councils Lagos State government. However the Supreme Court directive given on December 10, 2004 for the release of the fund was ignored by the Obasanjo administration.
Reacting to the development, the Lagos State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr. Opeyemi Bamidele said that President Yar’Adua’s directive on the release of the fund would further enable more people to enjoy the dividend of democracy.
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Lagos Takes Tax Drive To Business Premises
The Guardian, July 20, 2007
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In its bid to curb tax evasion, Lagos State government has put in place task force to be coordinated by Lagos State Board of Internal Revenue (LSBIR) which would involve sending teams of officials to business premises and other outfits to ensure full tax compliance.
Highlighting on this new initiative of bringing LSBIR closer to the public, the Executive Chairman of the LSBIR, Mr. Tunde Fowler said that during these visits, the officials would be offering their usual courteous expertise to assist public with tax assessment. Moreso, he urged that the support and cooperation of the public would be appreciated as this new move will make it easier for more people to comply by making application forms easily as well as free tax assessment services at the 36 (thirty six) tax stations all over the state, which will go a long way in improving the state‘s tax revenue.
In addition, Mr. Tunde Fowler also advised taxable individuals and organizations to visit and use free services available at any of the tax stations close to them to fulfill their tax obligations as the tax officials have been trained to provide the highest level of courteous services.
Moreover, LSBIR has also provided three phone numbers which the public can use to make complaints as well as seek confirmation on tax issues and the numbers are; 08082572444, 08059889830 and 07034954595
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Tax Enforcement Raises Lagos State Revenue to N8.3Bn
The Punch, June 30, 2007
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Between February and June this year, the Lagos State government has sealed off over 150 (one hundred and fifty) companies for failing to pay tax. This exercise appears to be paying off as the state government’s revenue has increased to N8.3Billion due to increase in the level of compliance by companies to Personal Income Tax.
According to the Director of Legal Services, Board of Internal Revenue, Mrs. Mojisola Olukolu who led the enforcement team on the seal off exercise, she disclosed that the board is backed by law to seal off firm under Section 104 of the Personal Income Tax Act, the law gives the right to distrain companies that refuse to pay taxes and confiscate both movable and immovable asset
Hence it is a criminal offence for companies to refuse to be audited or fail to remit the deducted amount to the state as at when due.
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Motorists Advised Against Excessive Speeding On Ikorodu.
The Punch, June 27, 2007
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The Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA) boss, Dr Dayo Mobereola has made an appeal to motorists plying Ikorodu road, which is at present undergoing reconstruction, to exercise restraints while using the road.
LAMATA is at present putting in place the implementation of the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) project on the road which involves the demarcation with concrete slabs of the far right lane on the express carriage of the road.
In addition, he lamented on the avoidable accidents on the road caused by the impatience of motorists in the recent times. Moreso that people are driving on the road with the old picture without bearing in mind that the road is undergoing some changes.
Furthermore, Dr Mobereola reiterated the fact that Ikorodu road is no longer an expressway but a township road, hence a stipulated speed limit of 50kilometres per hour should be adhered to by the users of the road, and therefore enforcement officers would soon be deployed to ensure that motorists do not break the speed limit.
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