By ANOZIE EGOLE

The drive by the Lagos State government to boost its monthly revenue got underway recently as the Performing Musicians Association of Nigeria (PMAN), in conjunction with the Lagos State Inland Revenue Service (LIRS), has called on Nigerian artistes to develop the culture of paying taxes.

This position was articulated after a meeting held last week at the Lagos headquarters of LIRS, Alausa, Lagos.

Commenting, Kevin Lucciano Gabriel, the association’s Caretaker Committee Chairman described music as a money spinner: “Music is one hell of a money spinner in our country and contributes greatly to the GDP. Alongside Nollywood, it is the biggest employer of labour in Nigeria today generating millions of naira in income for artistes.

“Consequently, it is the duty of every Nigerian musician to pay tax on their earnings. This is in line with the laws of the Centre of Excellence, Lagos State, under the Fashola administration.

If taxes are duly paid, this would automatically result in income for the state and by extension better public amenities. While we understand that a lot of artistes are not earning much, but a lot are also earning millions of naira annually and so it is their civic duty to pay their taxes.”

The PMAN helmsman also called on the state to step up the campaign against piracy as this would ensure that artistes are not swindled by pirates.