The Executive Chairman of the Enugu State Internal Revenue Service, Mr. Ekene Nnamani, revealed plans to target a monthly internally generated revenue (IGR) of N20 billion in the upcoming year, a move seen as vital for funding the recently signed N521.6 billion budget for 2024 by Governor Peter Mbah.
Speaking to reporters in Enugu, Nnamani emphasized a shift towards a disruptive approach to revenue collection, following extensive sensitization efforts across all sectors and stakeholders. He dismissed the notion of intrusive tax collection, stating, "Let nobody think that we're coming to open your house and collect all the money in your house."
Nnamani underscored the importance of taxation for development, asserting, "Every developed country in the world pays tax. You can't develop a country through donor countries or agencies."
While acknowledging Enugu's wealth in land and buildings, Nnamani lamented the underutilization of available resources. He questioned the perception of Enugu as a poor state, citing over 500,000 buildings and the highest land value in the Southeast.
Looking ahead, Nnamani outlined strategies for boosting revenue, including scaling up Land Use Charge collection, increasing taxes on rents in residential and commercial buildings, and ensuring comprehensive tax coverage for all companies.
He emphasized the importance of tax filing, stating, "It's not enough to say you have paid your taxes; you need to file it."
In closing, Nnamani expressed confidence in achieving the ambitious budget goals, concluding, "The question then will be, 'how did you do it?'". The state aims to showcase its success story by the close of the next year.
