The Ogun State Ministry of Culture and Tourism has begun enforcement of payment of Social Functions and Special Permits in the State. 

          Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Mr. Olusegun Olaotan made this known at the June 12 Cultural Center in Abeokuta, saying the essence of the enforcement exercise was to ensure that people comply with the civic duty of paying the permit fees.

           Olaotan stated that stakeholders are expected to pay stipends as low as N1,500, while defaulters would be made to face penalties of paying double of the expected fees or a year imprisonment according to the law.

          "The social permit fees as stipulated in the Social Permit Law 1994 of the State is domicile in the Ministry of Culture and Tourism and has to do with revenue; it is the Ministry in which the law is domicile that ensures its compliance. We have found out that people have not been cooperating, hence the need for sensitisation and enforcement of the fees", the Permanent Secretary explained.

          He revealed that the Ministry had done media publicity and held regular meetings with stakeholders on the steps the government is taking to ensure full compliance by members of the different associations.

          Stakeholders expected under the law to pay the fees include, Disc Jockeys (D.Js), band operators, operators of musical appliances, musicians  based in the State and those coming in for performance, hoteliers, event center owners,  among others.