A former governor of Lagos State, Babatunde Fashola, has advised the Lagos State Government to reduce levies and taxes as a means to ease the current social economic challenges faced by residents.
Fashola made the call at the 18th Edition of the Lagos State Executive and Legislative Parley held on Friday at the Eko Hotels and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos.
The annual parley is held to review the activities and mandates of each of the arms of government.
It discusses the prevailing social-economic issues, and comes up with a strategy for dealing with the potential areas of conflict in the overall interest of the state.
Fashola, who was the immediate past minister of Works and Housing, applauded Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu for rolling out other measures to cushion the effect of subsidy removal.
He said aside the school feeding initiative in schools and reducing the cost of transportation, the reduction of levies and taxes in other sectors would help a great deal.
“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 Governor 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 (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,” NAN quoted Fashola as saying.
Fashola urged the state government to find a way of redistributing wealth, and giving small businesses succour.
“We must meet with small businesses across the senatorial districts. The state legislature should hold town hall meetings to understand their needs and demands.
“We need to 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,” the former governor said.
