Peter Mbah, the governor of Enugu State, has announced plans to set up a committee to investigate state allegations of tax increases.
He claimed that the tax rate had not been raised because his administration had only widened the net.
Mbah claimed that the state’s Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) increased as a result of the use of e-payment and other revenue-monitoring tools to stop revenue leakages.
He attributed beneficiaries of the old, corrupt revenue system to what he thought were false accounts of Enugu’s taxation.
The governor made the remarks during a media briefing at the government building in Enugu earlier this week.
Enugu State ranked fifth in the nation overall in terms of the National Bureau of Statistics, recording N180.05 billion IGR in 2024, up from N37 billion in 2023.
Lagos State came in first with a list value of N1.26 trillion, followed by Rivers, FCT, and Ogun, who had N194.9 billion.
However, Mbah said, “The taxation thing that you hear is actually misplaced.
However, I’ve also committed to creating a committee made up of market unions, civil society organizations, non-governmental organizations, and other important organizations so they can review the state of our tax system and prepare a report.
READ ALSO: FG, States, LGs Share N2.103trn September 2025 Revenue – FAAC
He made it clear that neither his or her government had the authority to raise taxes.
We are unable to do that even by the laws. The National Assembly enacts legislation that would affect personal and business income taxes. The Enugu State House of Assembly did not set those rates, he claimed.
Mbah added that Touts’ only changes were preventing leaks and removing cash collections.
“Payments are now made through e-payment directly to the state’s finances.” He claimed that there is no longer a time when people would harass traders, drivers, and Keke operators with paper receipts.
He noted that the reforms had displaced well-established interests that were now contesting.
People who benefit from the old system will resist change, he said.
The governor emphasized that the governor’s administration remained open to the public’s opinions despite the accusations being made.
Source: Channels TV
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