The Lagos State Government has designed a platform known as Lagos Online Assistant LOLA on 0815 433 3883 where residents of the State can make payment for their Land Use Charge conveniently and without any physical interference with government official.
The Commissioner for Finance, Dr. Rabiu Olowo who made this known recently in his office at Alausa, Ikeja also revealed that early payment of the Land Use Charge within the stipulated period in the Demand Notice, would exclude owners of such properties from payment of accumulated fines arising from late payment.
Penalty for defaulters
Quoting from the provisions of the Land Use Charge Law 2020 A 39, the Commissioner said that “where a person who has received a Demand Notice of LUC fails to pay the amount within the period specified in the Notice, the initial amount payable will be increased by different percentages.
“Some of these penalties for late payment are:
Lateness between 45 calendar days and 75 calendar days will attract 10% penalty; between 75 calendar days and 105 calendar days attracts 20% penalty, while between 105 calendar days and 135 calendar days attracts 50% penalty.”
Ease of doing business
Olowo explained that the LOLA platform came into fruition in line with this administration’s THEMES Agenda of making Lagos State a 21st Century Economy, and its initiative on “ease of doing business”, by simplifying the methods of payment of LUC, also increasing the existing payment options online.
“We understand the busy nature of our residents and property owners; as such we decided to make the payment of Land Use Charge more convenient for everyone, whereby with WhatsApp message, a payment for LUC can be effected with absolute ease.
“In a nutshell, this initiative will save time, reduce stress, and it is accessible 24hours in a day.
The standard requirement for anyone willing to use the platform is to be accessible on WhatsApp, while noting that all the conversations for the LOLA payment have been programmed.”
He added that apart from making LUC payment via LOLA, the platform also accepts inquiries from its users and provides instant answers to persons seeking clarifications on different issues relating to the Land Use Charge.
Walk-in-centres still available
According to Dr Olowo, interested persons could still make use of the various Walk-In centres for LUC payment located in Victoria Island, Badagry, Ibeju, Alausa, Iju, Mushin, Apapa, Epe, Ikorodu, Ojo and Surulere for issues relating to their Land Use Charge.
He implored anyone having any difficulty in making payment for Land Use Charge to engage LOLA on 0815 433 3883, visit www.lola.ng or luc.lagosstate.gov.ng
While saying that other payment options for the LUC like Mobile Banking/Internet Banking, POS, USSD Short Code, Remita among others are still accessible for interested persons, Dr. Olowo urged persons with unresolved complaints to contact the Land Use Charge Assessment Appeal Tribunal, LUCAAT at Plot 3, Otunba Jobifele Way, CBD, Alausa.
“We are all stakeholders in the Greater Lagos journey being championed by our Governor, Mr. Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu, and the sustainable way for us to reap the dividends of this administration is for all of us to play our parts by giving to government what is due and at the appropriate time”, he added.
Dr. Olowo also pleaded with all residents of the State to cultivate the habit of paying their LUC as and when due, so that government can have adequate resources to implement more impactful projects for the benefits of the citizenry.
Nneka Ukachukwu
