The Lagos State Parking Authority has described the allegation that the state was deploying the setback levy to raise campaign funds as “reckless and mischievous.”
It was earlier reported that the LASPA issued a letter informing a food and snack company, Nellies, that it has charged the firm the sum of N290,000 for the parking lot outside the compound of the firm. The letter which led to a backlash on social media was seen by our correspondent.
Saturday PUNCH also reported that the Peoples Democratic Party in Lagos issued a statement describing the levy as a means to “impoverish the citizen to achieve their (APC) selfish ambitions.” The party called on Lagos residents to vote for the PDP because of its humane disposition.
In a statement by the General Manager of the agency, Adebisi Adelabu, on Friday, she stressed that a “malicious” publication on social media had intentions to undermine the agency.
She said, “The allegation that the State is using the Authority to raise campaign funds is reckless and mischievous. It is a fraudulent attempt to deceive the public and incite the people against the government.”
Adelabu argued that the agency was established under the Lagos State Transport Reform Law 2019, and an Act of the State Assembly in 2019, to manage parking activities and change the parking culture of the state by implementing policies that are in line with international parking standards.
“Parking is a universal phenomenon; it is not a creation of the Lagos State Government,” she said.
Meanwhile, Stakeholders in the Nigerian properties market said the recent execution of the LASPA levy in the state would become a burden for developers and buyers.
The brand manager of RevolutionPlus Properties, Kemi Idowu told Saturday PUNCH, on Friday, that the levy would discourage many Nigerians seeking to acquire properties in Lagos at this time.
Speaking on how it would affect the real estate economy, she said, “I think it is going to be a burden to the real estate industry. Right now, the industry is faced with inflation, people are finding it difficult to buy properties. We need to ask why this policy implementation is coming at a time like this.”