Lagos artisans, technicians lament multiple taxes

The Association of Lagos Artisans and Technicians (ASLAT) has lamented multiple taxations and non-patronisation of products and services by successive governments in the state and has, therefore, urged the incoming administration to redress the trend.

While speaking yesterday, Executive Secretary of the association, Akinyemi Adesina, bemoaned that artisans and technicians in the state have been suffering from no clear-cut policy direction for their operating services. Adesina noted that most of the materials used by the government in many of the agencies were being imported from China when many of them could make better ones.

He said: “Our products are not being patronized by the government. For instance, the uniform that is used by government parastatal and agencies, most of them are imported from China whereas we have people who can do it. Also, the security and safety boot that is used by the security and transport agencies, most of them are also imported from China. 

Our members can do a better one than what is being imported. We have spoken with the government on this many times, but they end up raising our hopes and dashing it. We are urging the incoming governor to consider us.

“Another issue is multiple taxes. The government would ask for the lock-up shop, extension, business tax, personal tax, and many others we have to pay, if we don’t pay, the shops would be locked. All these are disturbing us and we have discussed it with the candidate of All Progressives Congress, Babajide Sanwo-Olu.”