High taxation claims in Enugu ‘pathetic misconception,’ says Gov Mbah

Governor Peter Mbah has dismissed claims that residents of Enugu State are facing excessive taxation, describing the allegations as a “pathetic misconception” being promoted by opposition figures and beneficiaries of the old revenue system.

Speaking in an exclusive interview aired on Afia Television on Wednesday evening, the governor said the state government does not have the constitutional power to increase or reduce taxes.

According to Mbah, taxation falls under the jurisdiction of the federal government as provided by the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria.

He explained that his administration had instead focused on improving revenue generation by widening the tax net, blocking leakages and introducing reforms to curb sharp practices in revenue collection.

Mbah said measures such as the introduction of a Consolidated Demand Notice, e-ticketing, and the recovery, optimisation and monetisation of state assets had significantly boosted the state’s internally generated revenue (IGR).

Providing figures to support his claims, the governor said the state’s IGR grew from N26.8bn in 2022 to N37.4bn in 2023, rising sharply to N180.5bn in 2024 and N406.7bn in 2025.

“I think for those framing this false narrative, it is beyond their imagination that we could optimise our dormant assets and grow our revenue exponentially,” he said.

He added that tax revenue accounted for only N51.5bn, or 12.6 per cent, of the N406.7bn IGR recorded in 2025, while non-tax revenue made up N355.2bn, representing 87.4 per cent.

On rates and levies within the state’s control, Mbah said his administration had already reduced charges in several sectors, particularly in land-related services.

He explained that the government set up a committee comprising market leaders, organised labour representatives and the Chamber of Commerce and Industry to review what other states in the South-East charge.

According to him, findings showed that Enugu had the lowest rates in the region, but the government still went further to reduce some charges by as much as 70 per cent.

The governor, however, acknowledged the activities of illegal revenue collectors who impose unauthorised levies on residents.

He said the recently passed Enugu State Harmonised Taxes and Levies (Approved List for Collection) Law, 2026 would eliminate roadblocks and unauthorised collections that have burdened citizens.

Mbah added that the state government had set up a standing task force to track and prosecute extortionists while also providing toll-free lines for residents to report illegal collections.

“Under our laws, we have consolidated all these services and you only just have one payment that you make and you are done with all the services that the government provides,” he said.

He urged residents to report anyone attempting to extort money from them, assuring that the government would intensify enforcement and public awareness to curb such practices.