Nigerians have reacted to the recent Lagos State N80k demand notice for Parking on setback with many expressing their views on the subject matter.
This follows a recent notice on parking permits and demand notice signed by Adebisi Adelabu, General Manager, Lagos State Parking Authority which informed that the Lagos State Government has begun the implementation of the parking lot which costs N80,000 per slot yearly with a processing fee of N50,000.
Taking to Twitter, social media users have shown mixed reactions as some condemned the act while some perceive of it as a standard global practice in working societies.
What they are saying
On Twitter, @michaelfreesoul said, “We have a Lagos State Parking Authority but Danfos, Kekes and Okadas have turned many roads to their car parks to the detriment of free-flowing traffic. But then we all know Danfos are the 4th arm of the Lagos state government so it’s all we”
We have a Lagos State Parking Authority but Danfos, Kekes and Okadas have turned many roads to their car parks to the detriment of free flowing traffic. But then we all know Danfos are the 4th arm of the Lagos state government so it’s all we we https://t.co/eVEDiCLJC9
— Saint Michael (@michaelfreesoul) August 24, 2022
@TheLotanna wrote, “How don’t we have the capacity to tax them? They set up a whole Lagos State Parking Authority and we don’t have the capacity? What is wrong here?”
@GodizenMonsta posted, “The system in the UK uses plate number recognition systems and CCTV + parking enforcers + motoring meters. We are nowhere close to that.”
The system in the UK uses plate number recognition systems and CCTV + parking enforcers + motoring meters. We are nowhere close to that.
— HotSlut (@trolloflyfe) August 24, 2022
@MoshoodAluko said, “Sentiments aside, if the parking slots identified in this letter are located outside the fence, and on the setback, in a business district and close to the road; the Govt has every right to charge parking fees, that’s standard global practice in working societies.”
@TheLotanna said wrote, “I have never heard anywhere in the world you tax someone because there’s parking space in front of their property. If the government must make money from parking, shouldn’t it be the motorists that’d pay for parking?”
I have never heard anywhere in the world you tax someone because there’s parking space in front of their property. If govt must make money from parking, shouldn’t it be the motorists that’d pay for parking?
What even is Lagos State Parking Authority? God abeg o, who go help o? https://t.co/cOkfhEhUDu
— Lotanna Okwuchukwu (@TheLotanna) August 24, 2022
@maclamin wrote, “The Lagos state parking authority law is currently being challenged in court, as fee collection falls under the purview of local council. The question is; has the govt unified fees thugs collect at diff bustops and even streets in line with modern societies?
The Lagos state parking authority law is currently being challenged in court, as fee collection falls under the purview of local council. The question is has the govt unified fees thugs collect at diff bustops and even streets in line with modern societies?
— mclamin (@maclamin) August 25, 2022
There is a new sector in the Lagos State government under the ministry of transportation called Lagos State Parking Authority. @LASPA_MOT . Lagosians should be ready because they are out to generate revenue that I consider to be double taxation for businesses.
— F👑ke (@mildlymine) July 4, 2022
What you should know
In the viral letter on social media, dated August 15, 2022, the LASPA wrote to Nellies Nigeria located at 95, plot 6, Omorinre Johnson Street, Lekki Phase 1, billing it N290,000 for three slots and the N50,000 processing fee.
- LASPA stated, “In line with the administration’s policy in moving Lagos State towards a 21st-century economy to align with the first pillar of THEMES’ Agenda of which transportation is key, your organisation is hereby served this demand notice for the setback parking (off-street) in front of your premises before the commencement of enforcement action.
- “Based on the inspection, we identified three parking slots on your setback at the rate of N80,000 per slot per annum totaling N240,000.00. Also, a non-refundable administrative/processing fee of N50,000 only applies based on your location totalling N290,000.00 only payable for the year 2022.”
This is totally abnormal in every way. Take a look at taxes on motor vehicles:
1) vehicle licence minimum 2500
2) Road worthiness minimum 4000
3) Insurance minimum. 5000
Total 11500
These are fees collected yearly.
Others are lasma arrest
Now parking fees.
The markets of this law are not better than ransom takers
What’s N11500 per year (about $16) to operate a motor vehicle in Lagos? And if you do something for LATSMA to arrest you (driving against 1-way, etc.), good for you!
The LASG has built several public car garages (some through PPP), but very few residents patronize these, preferring instead to block traffic or public sidewalks – being a nation and people of ANYHOWNESS! Some of these businesses actually charge for these “parking” slots.
So, this an EXCELLENT development. If private persons and entities appropriate/use PUBLIC spaces for their own PRIVATE benefit, they should pay “rental” for such usage.
It high time individuals car owners and institutions challenged the illegality being perpetrated by LASG.
Section 7(1) and Schedule 4(e)(f) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999,as amended is very clear about who has jurisdiction who has jurisdiction to levy taxes on on Parking. It is Local Government and not State Government.. LASG started the re writing of its own Constitution by removing Tenement Rate from Local Government as provided under section 7(1) Schedule 4(J) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, and enacted Land Use Charge Law of 2001.. This act was challenged in Lagos High Court, where justice Lateefat Okunnu,, in land mark judgement ruled the Land Use Law was non and void “ab initio” and of no effect.as Tenement Rate is exclusive responsibility of Local Governments,see Suit No. ID/7612013 of High Court of Lagos State Ikeja Judicial Division. The learned Jurist even awarded damages of N500,000 for illegally sealing the property the plaintiff for revenue item that belongs to Ikeja Local Government.. From that period LASG has ceased sealing of properties for default in payment of Land Use Charge.
Good point! It’s an EXCELLENT development, but should conform to the law and Constitution. We cannot afford to continue to carry on as a nation where BOTH the government and the governed (citizens/residents) are LAWLESS!
You are part of the parking agency. God will judge
This is the result of not participating in electioneering process and noting in elections . We all caused all this for ourselves .
The problem with our government is the idea of collecting revenues in bulk while in other parts of the world it trickles in on a daily verifiable basis. What is wrong with the parking authority installing parking meters in available parking spaces while motorists can purchase parking cards which could be used as means of payment at the meters? Imagine 250,000 cars paying an average of 200 naira daily at parking meters spread all over high traffic areas of Lagos. It amounts to over 50 million naira daily from parking meters alone. Government should wake up. By the way this should be the avenue for local governments to boost its revenue and not the state government.