Jimi Agbaje - Lagos Residents Will Pay Fair Taxes.

The Lagos State governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Jimi Agbaje, says Lagos residents (Lagosians) will not pay heavy or light taxes, but will pay fair taxes instead.

Jimi Agbaje, spoke at a debate expected to have been attended by the All Progressives Congress (APC) and PDP Lagos State governorship candidates, organised by Channels Television in collaboration with the Enough Is Enough Nigeria (EIE) on Sunday.

The APC governorship candidate, Akinwunmi Ambode, was absent.

Mr Agbaje stressed that the government had always depended on tax for development, but that if elected, his administration would ensure Lagos residents (Lagosians) pay fair taxes.

He said the present administration was taking advantage of regulatory agencies, noting that it was generating tax in the wrong means.

He further said that he was called a tax invader due to politics. Agbaje said his company was not owing any tax.  “I got a letter from the state government, inquiring how I have been paying my land use charges.”

On his plans to ease the traffic situation in the state that had continued to eat into man hour, he said he would address the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) implementation issues, which he pointed out was not at its best.

“We will look at the implementation and see how we can strengthen it and make it better. Portholes are the major causes of traffic in the state. We will patch them to ease free flow of traffic in the state,” Mr Agbaje siad.

He also said new bus stops should be created where necessary.

The Lagos PDP governorship candidate, who described water as a faster means of transportation in the state, said Lagosians were scared of the small boats, which were in use.

He pointed out that his administration, if elected, would provide bigger boats to ensure passengers’ safety.

On his role in the party, Agbaje stressed that ‘he is not a typical politician’, saying ‘see me as I am. I will no say what I will not do’.

He further explained his relationship with Olabode Goerge, saying Mr George is his party leader.

“If a man is charged to court and sentenced for a crime and a superior court frees him, then he is not guilty,” Agbaje said.

He, however, urged the people of Lagos state to go out and vote so as to discharge their civic duties.