Residents of Festac Town in Lagos State, have reiterated their resolve not to pay any land charges to the state government, until judgment is passed on a suit in court on the issue.At a meeting of Festival Town Residents Association (FTRA), it was agreed that such a move would amount to double taxation.President of FTRA, Mr Jola Ogunlusi, said, 'if enforced, it will lead to double taxation as we have been paying ground rent to the Federal Housing Authority (FHA)'.It was reported that in 2008, Festac residents filed a suit before a Federal High Court in Lagos, for an order to restrain the Lagos State government from enforcing the Land Use Charge, 2001, on them.'But, be rest assured that on your behalf, we will not relent until we have got an injunction that will make you to sleep in your houses without harassment,' Ogunlusi told residents at their quarterly meeting.He regretted that, in spite of the case pending in court, the state government, through its Land Use Charge Office, had commenced the serving of a 'Notice of Default' on properties of some residents of the sprawling housing estate.The notice, which was read at the meeting read thus: 'Take notice that the owners/occupiers of this property have failed or neglected and or refused to comply with the payment of the land use charges levied on this property, in pursuant to the provision of Land Use Charge Law, 2001, Section 9, 17 and 19.'The consequence of such default is that the owner or ccupier shall have the property sealed and liable for receivership and/or to a term of imprisonment or both, until all outstanding charges, penalties and administrative charges are paid.'Ogunlusi said, 'because of that order, we have to file a perpetual injunction; this we are expecting to be argued anytime from now.'This is to stop the Lagos State government from harassing us, embarrassing us by pasting all these.'He urged the residents to remove such notices and give it to the FTRA, adding 'It is going to be evidence we'll tender in the law court.'With the case on appeal, nobody can eject you from your house.'On the nation's current security challenges, Ogunlusi urged residents to be vigilant, saying: 'there have been reports of strange faces coming into Festac in their hundreds.'Some people are harbouring them. We must report on the movement of these elements to the security agents, the local government and the FTRA. We should know where they live among us.'Earlier, Mr Alex Edoh, Chairman, Community 1, and host of the meeting, demanded that the Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) be reminded of its short comings in Festac.'The billing system of PHCN in Festac is weird. The marketing department of PHCN is a government unto itself. Bills are issued, not according to metre reading, but by imagination.'Lawful consumers pay for power consumed by un-metered PHCN staff-customers. Some of these PHCN staff- consumers have not paid bills for upwards of two years, and yet, they are not disconnected,' Edoh noted.In his response, Mr Billy Odeyinka, Business Manager, PHCN, Festac District, said he was aware of the problems.Odeyinka, however, accused some residents of aiding and abetting illegality in the estate by bribing PHCN field workers.
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