Events Centres Owners Decry Multiple Taxes

• Events Centres Owners Decry Multiple Taxes

Owners of events centres, under the auspices of the Association of Venue Owners Lagos Nigeria (AVOLN), have urged the government at all levels to reduce the multiple taxes in the sector, saying they are crippling their businesses.

At the launch of their logo in Lagos, their President, Wemi Jones, said they pay as much as 15 taxes to the federal, state and local governments, urging that the taxes be cut drastically.

He said the government should see the group with over 100 registered members out of 1000 practitioners as partners in nation building.

He said his colleagues were discussing with the government on the issue.

Lagos State Director for Internal Revenue Service (LIRS) Mrs Arinola Koladaisi noted that tax payment was critical for national development. She promised to look into the issue of multiple taxation, asking their support. She accused some AVOLN members of not remitting a particular tax which they had collected from their customers, warning that those involved should stop or be ready to face the law when caught.

A representative of the state commissioner for Tourism, art and Culture Mrs Babara Wey, advised AVOLN members to partner the ministry, remain focused in their business and be educated to be on top of their game.

At the event, a logo of the association was unveiled amid fun and fanfare. Jones urged members to keep to the industry’s standards.

Lagos State Safety Commission Director-General Akin Dickson also advised AVOLN members to be safety conscious. He said constructing slippery floors as well as not having fire extinguishers, among others, could attract punishment.