Governor of has dismissed claims that residents are facing excessive taxation, describing the allegations as misleading narratives pushed by opposition figures and individuals who previously benefited from irregular revenue collection practices.
The governor said his administration has not increased taxes but has instead focused on expanding the tax base, blocking revenue leakages, and improving transparency in revenue generation.
IGR Growth Driven by Reforms
Speaking during an interview on , Mbah explained that the state’s internally generated revenue (IGR) growth resulted from reforms aimed at improving efficiency rather than increasing tax rates.
He noted that Enugu’s IGR rose from ₦26.8 billion in 2022 to ₦37.4 billion in 2023, before increasing significantly to ₦180.5 billion in 2024 and ₦406.7 billion in 2025.
According to the governor, tax revenue accounted for only ₦51.5 billion, representing 12.6 percent of the total IGR in 2025, while non-tax revenue contributed ₦355.2 billion, or 87.4 percent.
Tax Laws Determined by Federal Government
Mbah clarified that state governments do not have the constitutional authority to impose new taxes.
He said the places taxation matters such as personal income tax, company income tax, value-added tax, and withholding tax under the legislative powers of the .
Reduction in Some State Charges
The governor added that his administration has even reduced certain state charges, particularly those related to land services.
He explained that a committee made up of market leaders, labour representatives, and the reviewed charges across South-East states and found that Enugu already had the lowest rates.
Despite this, the government further reduced some charges by up to 70 percent, especially in the land sector.
Crackdown on Illegal Revenue Collectors
While dismissing claims of high taxation, Mbah acknowledged the activities of illegal revenue collectors operating in the state.
He said the recently enacted was designed to eliminate illegal roadblocks and unauthorised collections.
The governor warned that individuals involved in extortion would be arrested and prosecuted, adding that the state has set up a task force and toll-free lines to enable residents report such activities.
