The Lagos government has begun taxing state citizens for vehicle parks on property setbacks.
Setback ordinances are property laws that govern the lines that separate properties. According to Legal Match, a setback is the least distance from the property line that a structure can be built.
It was discovered that the fee per slot varies depending on location. It might be as much as N100,000 or as little as N80,000 per parking space each year, with a nonrefundable N50,000 filing fee.
According to a document issued on Wednesday titled “Parking Permit And Demand Notice,” residents are required by law to pay a fee for parking on property setbacks or in front of their property.
According to a statement signed by Mrs. Adebisi Adelabu, General Manager of the Lagos State Parking Authority (LASPA), households have only seven days to pay once the notice is served.
LASPA was established in 2021, according to the government, to enforce parking violations and offenses throughout the state.
“The Lagos State Parking Authority, established under the law to consolidate all that relates to parking and its connected purposes with powers and functions, clearly states that the Authority shall, among others, be responsible for all forms of managed parking in the State,” according to a letter to the Manager, Nellies, 95, plot 6, Omorinre Johnson Street, Lekki Phase 1, Lekki, with Ref: No: LASPA/OPS/PP/01/22, dated August 15, 2022.
“In view of the above, and in line with the administration’s policy in moving Lagos State towards a 21st century economy to align with the first pillar of THEME’S Agenda of which transportation is key, your organization is hereby served this demand notice for the setback parking (Off-Street) in front of your premises before the commencement of enforcement action.
“Based on inspection, we identified Three (3) parking slots on your setback at the rate of N80,000 per slot per annum totaling N240,000.00 (Two Hundred and Forty Thousand Naira) only.
“Also, a non-refundable Administrative/Processing fee of N50,000 (Fifty Thousand Naira) only applies based on your location totaling N290,000.00 (Two Hundred and Ninety Thousand Naira) only payable for the year 2022 to be paid into Lagos State Parking Authority account within a period of seven (7) days of receiving this letter.”
In addition, the demand notice specified two bank accounts: one in Globus Bank and another in Polaris Bank.
It also directed that payees should attach proof of payment to process their permit.
“It’s not like they built a park and charge people but you have to pay for your own space in your own compound after driving on bad roads,” a resident lamented.
When contacted on the telephone, the State Commissioner of Information and Strategy, Gbenga Omotoso, said, “It is for the use of government setback as parking space for their customers/clients.
“The right to use that space is what is being paid for.”
In cases where companies are not found to be using their setbacks for parking purposes, we do not ask them to pay.
The newly-created LASPA has taken over open parking spaces in the state.
