The Governor of Enugu State, Peter Mbah, has dismissed allegations of high taxation in the state, describing it as a “pathetic misconception” allegedly promoted by opposition figures and beneficiaries of past systems who manipulated revenue collection for personal gain.
Mbah stated that his administration has significantly increased the state’s Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) by expanding the tax net to include more taxable individuals, blocking revenue leakages, and addressing sharp practices that previously drained public funds.
According to the governor, the reforms include the introduction of a Consolidated Demand Notice, e-ticketing, revenue recovery initiatives, as well as the optimization and monetization of state assets.
He also clarified that the Enugu State Government does not have the constitutional authority to increase or reduce taxes, noting that taxation falls under the exclusive legislative powers of the National Assembly of Nigeria as provided by the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Mbah clarified during an interview aired this week on Afia Television.
“First, as a state, we are not able to legislate on taxation. It is in the exclusive legislative list, which can only be legislated on by the National Assembly,” the governor explained.
He added that taxes such as Personal Income Tax, Company Income Tax, Value Added Tax, and Withholding Tax can only be legislated by the National Assembly.
The governor further stated that critics spreading the claims had failed to acknowledge the significant growth in the state’s revenue under his administration. He said Enugu’s IGR increased from N26.8 billion in 2022 to N37.4 billion in 2023, rising to N180.5 billion in 2024 and N406.7 billion in 2025.
According to him, tax revenue accounted for only N51.5 billion, representing 12.6 per cent of the 2025 IGR, while non-tax revenue contributed N355.2 billion or 87.4 per cent.
“I think for those framing this false narrative, it is beyond their imagination that we could optimize our dormant assets and grow our revenue exponentially,” Mbah said.
On areas within the state’s jurisdiction, such as rates and levies, the governor noted that his administration had already taken steps to reduce certain government charges.
He explained that a committee comprising market leaders, organised labour, and the Enugu Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture was set up to compare rates across states in the South-East, revealing that Enugu already had the lowest charges in the region.
Despite this, the government further reduced some rates by up to 70 per cent, particularly in the land sector.
Mbah, however, acknowledged the activities of illegal revenue collectors, saying the recently enacted Enugu State Harmonised Taxes and Levies (Approved List for Collection) Law, 2026, would address unauthorized collections and roadblocks that have burdened residents.
He said the government has established a standing task force to track and prosecute offenders while encouraging residents to report extortion through toll-free lines provided by the state.
“Under our laws, we have consolidated all these services, and you only make one payment for the services the government provides,” he said, adding that stronger enforcement and public awareness would help eliminate illegal collections across the state.
(The Sun)
