Ground rent: Delta task force move against offenders

Officials of the Delta State Government have commenced the enforcement of the ground rent tax to generate revenue into the state’s coffer.
The special task force issued enforcement notification to landlords within Asaba metropolis.
Buildings and lands marked as ‘State Lands’ were measured to know the fee to charge on them.
The taskforce chairman, Frank Nwugo, said the state government would leave no stone unturned in ensuring full compliance.
Nwugo said the exercise was long overdue.
He noted that Section 24(f) of the 1999 Constitution as amended, made honest declaration of income and payment of tax mandatory, adding that Sections 4(6) and 44(2) of the same constitution confer on state House of Assembly the power to make law for the imposition or enforcement of any tax, rate or duty.
He noted that relying on the powers conferred on it, the Delta State House of Assembly enacted the Delta State Internal Revenue Consolidation Law 2009, otherwise known as the DSIR 2009 Law.
While saying that the payments of ground rents is compulsory as specified in the Certificate of Occupancy issued to every land owner, Nwugo stated that ground rents is due for payment on January 1 every year, adding: “Failure to pay within 90 days shall result to lawful revocation of the C of O of the said land by the state government.
“By the provision of section 30, Annexure xxiii/C115 of DSIR law 2009, Delta State is divided into four zones for the purpose of charging premium and other land fees in the state.”
The task force chairman explained that Zone 1 of the classification has Asaba, Warri and Effurun, while zone 2 has Ibusa, Ogwashi-Uku, Ughelli, Sapele, Agbor and Abraka.
Zone 3, according to Barrister Nwugo, has other local government headquarters in the state, excluding Aboh and Isiokolo while Zone 4 has Aboh, Isiokolo and other towns in the state.
The exercise, Nwugo further explained, is hinged on the uncompromising position by the state government to continue to encourage agriculture and agro businesses in the state.
He said this is critical in driving the Delta Beyond Oil vision of the present administration in the state.