Over 90% of large format digital printers in the Shomolu area of Lagos State have expressed their displeasure over inconsistent and high imposition of taxes by various government agencies on them. To them, taxation, sundry charges and tariffs top the chat of major stumbling blocks to large format print business growth and survival.
According to WHERE To Print Investigates – on survival and growth of large format print business in Shomolu, Lagos revealed that though irregular power supply, arbitrary pricing, substandard media and consumables, and after-sale service are other factors militating against the survival and growth of large format digital print business, inconsistent and high tariffs, charges and taxation are considered major hindrances to their business survival.
According to them, these do not make them to plan for their business growth as tax and government authorities use crude and unethical practice to force them to pay sometimes unjustified charges, tariffs and taxes. To Sparkman Print Limited, Mr. Anthony Okolie, an Engineer turned printer with decade of experience in print equipment marketing, high taxes and charges imposed on outdoor advertisement affects income of digital large format printing outfits. He was of the opinion that Government and Print Stakeholders should liaise with one another and the Lagos State Advertising Agency (LASAA) to put an end to the outrageous charges of government agencies on print business.
Corroborating Mr. Okolie, AY Flourish Nigeria Limited, Mr. Adams Olushola, a Business Administrative Graduate turns Printer, noted that “if the government can reduce import duties placed on the imported print consumables, it will definitely go a long way to salvage a lot of print investors on the brink of liquidation”. To him, when printers get quality print consumables at a cheaper rate, it will lead to low cost of printing jobs and will definitely discourage capital flight occasioned by printing abroad.
Manager of Glorious Prints, Mr. Adeneye Idowu a BSc Economics holders from Lagos State University said multiple taxation and frequent harassment from the local government officials on one levy or the other was dampening the success of their print business. He urged Government to provide special tailor-made package for print investors in the area of levies and charges. “Nobody should harass us, because we are wealth creators. It is not an over-statement to say more than fifty percent employment in the country comes from print industry.”
Mr. Lanre Agboola of Larry Production was also of the same opinion that heavy taxation is the bane to not only print business but also the development of small scale entrepreneurship in the country. According to him, “the rate at which government tax us is so bizarre that one begins to have doubt on the progress of any small scale business in the country”. And to Finesse Exhibition and Printing Press, Mr. Ola Bodunde – if government could reduce import duties on print materials, it would allow more people to import printing materials rather than it being monopolize by a few in the industry. This he noted would be a breakthrough the printing industry earnestly desires.
WHERE To Print Investigates is an arm of WHERE To Print magazine that periodically research and investigates on key indices and parameters that aid or affect a particular print sector or allied industries. The aim is to proffer market-driven statistics and information – to industry stakeholders – to enable them make informed and valuable decisions. WHERE To Print Investigates uses findings from surveys, questionnaires, and interviews to come up with its business survival and growth investigations.
