Businesses, Citizens Reeling under Multiple Taxes, Says PDP

Oluchi Chibuzor

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Lagos State, yesterday alleged that individuals and corporate businesses in the state were reeling under the burden of multiple taxation.

Consequently, the main opposition party claimed that the future of young people in the country, especially in Lagos State, “is not only dim but has become hopeless and hapless due to a hostile economic environment.

The Chairman of Lagos PDP, Mr. Deji Doherty expressed this concern during a recent virtual town hall meeting, kicking against what he described as illegal and multiple taxes imposed on individuals and corporate bodies in the state.

Doherty said the administration of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu “has caused a negative impact on business and commercial activities and made life miserable for the people in the face of a global pandemic.

“The economic hardship Nigerians are going through brought about maladministration and mismanagement of public resources by political leaders in the state coupled with the global pandemic,” the party chairman said.

He challenged Sanwo-Olu to look into so many illegal and multiple taxes being collected by force from Lagosians in every nook and cranny of the state.

Doherty alleged that some unscrupulous agents “are working for a few political power holders,” describing such acts as unlawful against the citizens, which he said can cripple the economy of any country.

“The future of young people in the country, especially in Lagos State, is not only dimmed but hopeless given the glaring hostile socio-economic environment where businesses are regrettably staggering due to illegal multiple taxes unaccounted for and other unfounded policies and decisions of the government.”

He also called upon the federal government, National Assembly and Independent National Economic Commission (INEC) to fix every loophole in the electoral system to avoid subjecting anyone or group into becoming victims of weak structure in the body polity.

He decried the level of socio-economic crisis in the country and the influx of young people into Lagos State, which he said, could lead to graver crises if not well-managed.

He challenged the northern governors “to fix their regional economy and make it conducive for people to live comfortably and do their businesses there.

“Lagos is overpopulated, making life miserable especially the traffic congestion and other structural defects. Nevertheless, we are coming to give a better life to Lagosians and Nigeria at large as we are sure Nigerians would not make another terrible mistake next election.

“This time, PDP is coming with smoothing balm, and we shall most unassumingly fix the power, health, education, social infrastructure and other critical sectors of the economy.”