By Sunday Anthony, Uyo
The Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly has called for the standardisation of community development levies imposed on property developers across the state amid concerns over arbitrary charges, intimidation and disruption of construction activities.
The call followed a motion titled “An Urgent Need for the Standardisation of Community Development Levies and Fees Imposed on Property Developers by Villages in Akwa Ibom State,” sponsored by Rt. Hon. Uwem Imoh-Ita, the member representing Mkpat Enin State Constituency.
Rt. Hon. Imoh-Ita moved the motion during Wednesday’s plenary, highlighting the financial burden allegedly imposed on individuals seeking to build residential houses and other properties in various communities.
He said prospective developers were often compelled to pay between N200,000 and N1 million, or more in some cases, as development, youth, and security levies before commencing or continuing construction.
According to the lawmaker, the absence of a uniform regulatory framework has resulted in varying charges for similar developments, with some payments allegedly collected without official receipts or clear accountability for the funds.
He also raised concerns that developers who refused or could not afford to pay the levies risked harassment, intimidation, disruption of construction work, and seizure of building materials.
Rt. Hon. Imoh-Ita warned that the practices could increase housing costs, discourage investment, delay rural infrastructure development and deter indigenes living abroad from returning home to build houses.
He added that unregulated levies could create opportunities for extortion and undermine public confidence in community leadership structures.
While acknowledging the role of community contributions in providing and maintaining access roads, markets, village halls, electricity and security infrastructure, the lawmaker said the collection and management of such funds should be transparent, accountable and lawful.
The motion urged the state government to develop a comprehensive legal and regulatory framework to govern community development levies associated with residential building projects.
It also proposed uniform payment procedures, public disclosure of revenue and expenditure, designated community accounts and periodic audits to ensure that collected funds were properly managed.
The lawmaker further called for measures to prevent harassment, intimidation, unlawful stoppage of construction work and other forms of self-help in enforcing community levies.
He urged relevant House committees to engage community leaders, property developers and other stakeholders to recommend appropriate legislative measures.
Following deliberations on the motion, the House resolved that adequate sensitisation should be carried out on the existence of the state’s new harmonised tax law.
The resolution highlights the need to improve public awareness of the applicable tax framework as concerns persist over multiple financial demands on property developers.
