To address challenges associated with unresolved Land Use Charge complaints, the Land Use Charge Assessment Appeal Tribunal has taken its sensitisation programmes to each of the three Senatorial Districts in Lagos State.
The tribunal urged property owners to ensure voluntary compliance with the existing law rather than been compelled to pay.
Speaking at the commencement of the programme at Ikorodu council secretariat under the East Senatorial District, the Registrar, Land Use Charge Assessment Tribunal (LUCAAT), Mrs. Olayinka Oyegunle, said the tribunal was established in August 2011 pursuant to Section 12 of the Land Use Charge Law, 2001 (Now Section 16 of the Land Use Charge Law, 2020) to serve as a platform for aggrieved property owners to resolve grievances, in respect of Land Use Charge assessments and other related matters, through an appeal or mediation process.
Oyegunle said: “One of the reforms of Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s administration is the introduction of mediation and other Alternative Dispute Resolution mechanisms in the Land Use Charge Law, 2020, as means of resolving disputes at the tribunal. This has resulted in more seamless and expedited resolutions in line with international best practices.”
She advised property owners to take advantage of the gesture of the 15per cent early payment discount on the Land Use Charge demand notice, as well as the complaint mechanisms put in place, adding that the tribunal has functional complaint centres of the Land Use Charge Demand Notices.
Oyegunle also said complaints may be resolved through Administrative Resolution, Mediation/other forms of Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) or by lodging a formal appeal at the tribunal.
She said: “Ignoring the land use charge demand notice or refusal to pay will not clear the liability incurred. Instead, it will result in accumulated charges and penalties that are carried forward and added to subsequent years’ charges with attendant consequences.”
The forum attracted participants and stakeholders from the local governments and local council development areas under each district.