Osun State Chapter of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), has tacked Governor Gboyega Oyetola over demand for forum years arrears of Land Use Charge from the people of the state.
The party described the new charge as financial burden on the people especially at the present time that standard of living is poor.
The party in a statement made available to newsmen by its state chairman, Dr. Tosin Odeyemi, Sunday, queried why the government didn’t demand for land use charge in year 2017 when the law was passed.
They described the land use charge as punishment at a time when people are still struggling out of the debt and difficulties brought by the Coronavurus.
“Why is the government asking people to pay money it was supposed to collect back in years 2017, 2018, and 2019 this year when Coronavirus had killed many businesses while public service salary earners live from hand to mouth?
“From the information we had, some property owners had been asked to pay as much as N20, 000 for a single house. An uncompleted house in Ede was asked to pay about N6,000 for each year and the government wants the money paid for years 2017 to 2020.
“This is simply unrealistic and mean. Governments in the world over are given people tax holiday to cushion the effects of Coronavirus on them. But ours here wants us to pay through our nose the money it refused to demand when economy was better now that people are wallowing in poverty”
The party however urged relevant stakeholders to intervene and safe Osun people, noting that “the reality of the moment is that majority of residents can not afford further financial burden.
“They didn’t ask those that govern the state to eat yam meant for dry season, during raining season, so this administration should not punish them for the sin they never committed”, Odeyemi stressed.