SAN FRANCISCO, March 06, (THEWILL) – Africa’s richest man, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, on Tuesday, described Lagos as the most convenient and peaceful state for doing business.
He made this known in a terse remark at the Lagos Means Business forum which held at Zinnia Hall, Eko Hotels and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos.
“I am not advertising for Lagos, but try another state, you will see hell,” he said
Dangote also supported the appeal by Lagos Governor Akinwumi Ambode to residents of the state and business community to continue to pay tax.
“You should pay your taxes to Lagos state,” Dangote said.
On his part, Ambode, during the question and answer session, assured every Lagosian that he would make their taxes work for them with a transparent and incorruptible government with good value for taxes paid.
“We are not true citizens until we become responsible tax payers,” he stated.
“If the vision of a prosperous Lagos is to be achieved, the State must retreat from borrowing to finance its infrastructure and pay back later in the future with high interest rate.”
He also appealed to residents to embrace the Land Use Charges and ensure that commercial property owners pay the charges but explained that pensioners, owner occupiers, NGOs, Churches and Mosques are exempted from the payment of Land Use Charge.
“The good part of the arguments trailing the Lagos Land Use Charge is that the State Government is ready for dialogue and will welcome the complaints of dissatisfied members of the public in this regard,” he said.
“Business owners paying Land Use Charge should see it as part of their Corporate Social Responsibilities.”
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