The Lagos State Government said it has reduced the challenge of multiple taxation significantly with the recent harmonisation.

Permanent Secretary of the state’s Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture, Bopo Oyekan-Ismaila, stated this in Lagos yesterday during the opening of the new secretariat of the Nigerian Association of Tour Operators (NATOP) in Lagos.

Oyekan-Ismaila, who represented the Commissioner for Tourism, Arts and Culture, Toke Benson-Awoyinka, said that the administration of Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu remained committed to creating an enabling environment for businesses to thrive, particularly in the tourism sector.

According to him, while the government had taken steps to eliminate multiple taxation, some operators still avoid tax obligations, making it difficult to completely rule out isolated cases.

“I can tell you categorically that it has reduced because the governor insisted that all taxes must be harmonised. And the Federal government has also done the same thing.

“So, the issue of multiple taxation is something that happened in the past. It does not happen again. And where such happens, our office is always available and ready to take it up,” she said.

Oyekan-Ismaila said some businesses were reluctant to pay taxes, noting that evidence of payment would protect compliant taxpayers from being charged repeatedly.

On the opening of NATOP’s first secretariat, the permanent secretary described the development as a reflection of the state government’s commitment to promoting tourism and creating platforms for industry players to expand their businesses.

She maintained that the facility would support tourism practitioners and provide opportunities for networking, training and promotion of Lagos and Nigeria as preferred destinations.

Chairman of the NATOP 10th Annual General Meeting (AGM) Planning Committee, Joy Alexander-Ozeigbe, said the secretariat was a landmark achievement for the association.

She said the facility would provide NATOP with a permanent identity and strengthen its position within the domestic and international travel market.

According to her, having a physical presence would complement the association’s digital operations and make it easier for stakeholders globally to connect with NATOP.