Enugu State Governor, Dr Peter Mbah, has announced plans to form a multi stakeholder committee that will review taxation processes in the state.
He clarified that his administration has not increased any tax rate but only expanded the tax net to capture more eligible taxpayers while blocking revenue leakages.
Speaking during a media chat with journalists at the Government House in Enugu, Governor Mbah described reports alleging tax hikes as misleading and politically motivated. According to him, the surge in the state’s Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) was due to the introduction of electronic payment systems and technology to eliminate corruption and ensure accountability in revenue collection.
Mbah pointed out that Enugu State’s IGR had grown from N37 billion in 2023 to N180.05 billion in 2024, making it the fifth highest among the 36 states and the FCT, as recently confirmed by the National Bureau of Statistics. Lagos topped the list with N1.26 trillion, followed by Rivers with N317.3 billion, the FCT with N282.3 billion, and Ogun State with N194.9 billion.
Addressing allegations from opposition groups, Mbah said, “The taxation issue you hear about is misplaced. I have decided to set up a committee comprising market unions, civil society organisations, NGOs and other relevant groups to review our tax space and make recommendations. We have not increased the tax rate because such rates are set by the National Assembly, not the state legislature.”
The governor explained that his government merely restructured the system to end cash collection and ensure transparency through e-payment channels. “We displaced entrenched interests that benefited from the old corrupt system. Payments now go directly into state coffers, and the days of people harassing traders, drivers and Keke operators for cash are over,” he stated.
He added that resistance from those affected by the reforms was expected. “Once you implement reforms that close loopholes, those who lose out will fight back with false narratives. But we are confident that the truth will prevail once the committee completes its work,” Mbah said.
