Enugu Govt. targets N7bn monthly from property rates

Dr Chilo Offiah, member, Enugu State Economic Advisory Council, says the State Government is targeting N7 billion monthly as internally generated revenue.

Offiah, who is the Pro-Chancellor, Enugu State University of Science and Technology, said this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Enugu on Wednesday.

He said the need to increase internally generated revenue base from legitimate means had been made manifest due to the dwindling federal allocation.

He said for residents of the state to enjoy good infrastructure, they must partner with the state government.

“In Enugu state, people don’t pay tenement rates. You can imagine the number of property in Enugu and most of these buildings are rented.

“The landlords collect tenement rates and put it in their pockets”, he said.

Offiah said that such landlords must henceforth pay taxes on their buildings.

“We are focused on where we are going and have to capture every building and make sure everybody pays.

“That is what gives money to some states for development and we want to make at least N7 billion every month in Enugu state”, he said.

Offiah said people must sit up and pay for what they enjoyed, adding that when they pay tenement rates and taxes, they enjoy good amenities.

“We are not telling the people what is illegal, but what they already know and are tactfully avoiding. It’s a question of following your leader and doing what he says.

“Things cannot continue to run the way it is in Enugu state and this does not translate to multiple taxations.

“When we access your building, you automatically know how much you are to pay every year. It’s not going to be over bearing’’, he said.

Offiah said he was impressed with the caliber of people the governor had assembled to assist to move the state forward.

It will be recalled that Gov. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi over the weekend inaugurated a 15-member committee to advise his government on ways to shore up the internally generated revenue of the state.