LAGOS CENSORED BOARD SECRETARY SUSPENDED FOR IMPOSING 5% LEVY ON AUDIO, VISUAL CONTENT

The Governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu has suspended the Executive Secretary of the Lagos State Film and Video Censors Board, Bamidele Balogun, for imposing 5% levy on all audio and visual content streamed on all physical and digital platforms around Lagos.

This is coming after a letter which was addressed to the Managing Director of Iroko TV, by the Lagos State Film and Video Censors Board went viral stirring a lot of reactions from Lagosians especially those in the entertainment industry.

According to the letter, the MD of Iroko TV was asked to make an “immediate payment of 5% levy on all audio and visual content produced, sold, distributed, marketed, exhibited, streamed, downloaded and shared across all physical and digital platform situate, lying and being within the state.”

Reacting, the Lagos State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Gbenga Omotosho in a statement released on Friday disclosed that the Executive Secretary was not authorised to make such an announcement.

Omotosho stated that the Sanwo-Olu’s administration was not insensitive to the fact that the creative industry has been badly hit by the effects of the COVID -19 pandemic.

According to the statement, the Executive Secretary, who was not authorised to make such an announcement, has been suspended.

The statement read thus “There is no levy on audio and visual contents of all physical and digital platforms in Lagos State.

“ The Executive Secretary, Lagos State Film and Video Censors Board, Mr. Bamidele Balogun, is said to have announced a five per cent levy.

“The government hereby dissociates itself from the said announcement in the media.

“The Executive Secretary, who was not authorised to make such an announcement, has been suspended, pending an administrative enquiry,”.