3rd May, 2011
Special Adviser to Governor Fashola on Taxation and Revenue, Mr. Ade Ipaye, has called on Lagosians to be more vigilant on the activities of impostors and fraudsters who offer rebates and renegotiation of various charges payable to the state government.
The Special Adviser, who stated this while presenting the scorecard of his office, as part of the 2011 Ministerial briefing, said a lot of corporate entities with high network property had fallen victims of this scam.
According to him, the fraudsters usually negotiate a reduction for a fee and thereafter reproduce or clone the original letter putting the agreed figure.
This, he said, has not reduced the obligations of the person as the difference between what is paid, revised figure and the original bill is added to the following year’s bill.
While stating that his office and the Lagos Internal Revenue Service have put in place appropriate complaint and communication strategies, Ipaye urged the public to embrace such opportunities.
He also stated that his office has information that about 16 illegal levies and charges are being peddled. He listed them to include corporate business permit, commercial premises rate, and corporate parking charges, vehicle / car radio permit, satellite/ mast permit, outdoor sanitation and other charges. Ipaye declared levies payable by business and individual, adding that it is not all 16 that are legal but only a few.
Citing the strike by the Foodstuffs and Cattle Dealers over allegation of multiple levies, Ipaye said the only levy attributable to the state is the Farm Produce and Animal Inspection fees collected by the Ministry of Agriculture and Co-operatives.