Lagos State: Taxation Without Representation

Lets start with a tale of the Dictatorial President [OBJ] and the Heady Governor [Tinubu]. Federal allocations were withheld for months which saw the Governor seeking alternative income source and voila TAXATION [i mean multiple, ridiculous, exploitative taxation] was born in Lagos state.

Lagos State

Fast forward to present day. The Governor of Lagos State is a lot of things to Lagosians [focussed, diligent, intuitive, smart] but one thing he is not is kind hearted or a philanthropist. The tax regime in the state now has reached an all time high.

Anyone who lives in Lagos today has a feel of what I'm saying especially as it concerns taxation. Everything is taxed, your shop, your clothes, your food, your car, your house, your land, your flowers, your curb...... Is anyone getting the flow? this is clearly multiple taxation!!!

Now, back to my title "Taxation Without Representation". Has anyone seen the movie "Training Day" with Denzel Washington, where he was a DEA Cop and had a drug dealer friend? He needed some cash and decided to burst his friend and loot a sizable portion of the chaps cash stash? This was the exact phrase used. They were taxing the money without representation, no records, no traces, nobody knows! See?

Same thing is happening here with us, we pay taxes in this state [at least i do, a large chunk of my pay for that matter] and we expect some basic amenities to be provided because we do our part. Simple things like Power, Water, Roads, Security, Education etc. But what is happening is that we are being taxed multiple folds, the funds are being looted by some politicians/rogues/scoundrels/thugs/thieves/opportunists and they don't stop at that, they even expect us to pay for the few basic amenities provided!!!!

Good case is the Lekki Tolls being constructed. Where is it done? Three tolls in a single LGA? Lets not dwell on this as the powers that be can easily split the LGA in three!!! Then what do we say?

Power is not provided, security is zilch, water is not even something that one asks for anymore etc. Then why all the taxes.

Just frustrated, really tired of the state of things. But I live here and will continue to do my part.

Just another Nigerian