NIESV advocate for LG tenement rate autonomy, accuses states control over property taxes
By: Tijani Salako.
Nigerian Institute of Estate Surveyors and Valuers (NIESV) has accused the state governments of taking control over property taxes that ought belong to local governments.
This statement was made at the 31st Annual John Wood Ekpenyong Memorial Lecture, where the former president of NIESV, emphasized the need for total financial autonomy for local governments.
Emma Wike, who is the immediate President for the institute in his speech, argues that the Tenement Rate administration in Nigeria has been unsuccessful, some states like Lagos, Ogun, Kaduna, and Anambra have enacted laws that allow state governments to collect property taxes, preempt local governments’ authority. However, local governments deserve property tax autonomy, as they are incharge for providing social service and amenities to rural and close by urban areas.
Wike further disclosed, “LG were created for the purpose of filling gap and rendering services, providing amenities to the people in both sub rural and urban centres. With increasing responsibilities of local government authorities, it is required of them to operate with optimal efficiency to be able to satisfy the rapid needs of their residents.”
The NIESV is then appealing for the repositioning of the tenement rate to ensure its effectiveness in driving economic growth and development. The property rating is a veritable source of income for local governments, and positive steps must be taken to ensure prompt collection.
The institution is calling on the government to grant local governments the autonomy to collect property taxes, which would enable them to generate revenue and provide essential services to their residents.
President and Chairman of Council, Nigerian Institute of Estate Surveyors and Valuers, Victor Alonge, while addressing the new inductees said the honour being conferred on the honoured required continued absolute compliance with professional ethics and standards of practice and total commitment to the aims and objectives of the institution.
“Let me emphasise that as Fellows of this noble profession, you are expected to continue to demonstrate the attributes of competence, ethical standards, integrity, honesty and devotion in addition to absolute loyalty to the Institution. You are obligated to uphold the ethics of the profession, defend the Constitution including the Council and General Meeting’s decisions, comport yourself, and practice the profession in dignifying manners that will bring honour to the profession.
“Training, re-training, and upskilling are the hallmarks of professionalism. I charge you to remain committed to continuous acquisition of knowledge. We are in an era where information is at your fingertips, where you can connect with people and opportunities across the globe in seconds. Today’s digital landscape offers incredible opportunities for all kinds of endeavours and adventures. You have the privilege of using technology to make positive changes.
