The Lagos State government, Governor Akinwunmi Ambode on Monday directed all its revenue agencies to commence enforcement of payment by all tax defaulters with immediate effect in the state.

Acocrding to the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr. Steve Ayorinde, in a statement, lamented that many residents were not fulfilling their civic obligation of paying their taxes and that the prevailing situation would adversely affect government’s infrastructural renewal drive currently ongoing across the state.

Ayorinde said government had concluded plans to go all out to enforce the tax laws so as to bring more Lagosians into the tax net.

Governor Akinwunmi Ambode had expressed concerns that only about 600,000 Lagos residents are up to date in paying their taxes, a situation he said was not helpful to scale up provision of infrastructure and other amenities for the people.

Ayorinde said the government was committed to completing all ongoing projects on schedule, but that it was largely dependent on prompt payment of taxes by residents.

“This administration is grateful to Lagosians who have supported the government, particularly in the discharge of their civic responsibility through payment of taxes.

“That is the oil that keeps the engine and wheels of government moving smoothly.

“No government in the world can achieve its set out objectives without funds and these funds are available largely from what residents pay as taxes. It is therefore expedient that taxes should be paid correctly as at when due,” Ayorinde said.

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