The 2023 Labour Party governorship candidate in Enugu State, Chijioke Edeoga, has decried high taxation imposed on citizens of the state and businesses by Governor Peter Obi.
Chijioke Edeoga said despite poor governance by Governor Mbah, Enugu citizens and businesses have to pay more for taxes.
In a statement, on Sunday, the former governorship candidate stated that there is over 100 percent increase in tenement tax imposed by Governor Mbah’s government.
“There is no finer way to address this matter except to go straight to the point to inform you that the people of Enugu state are being crushed most ruthlessly under the burden of the multiple taxes that your administration impose rather whimsically against the age old principles of taxation and in utter indifference to the conditions of deprivation and extreme poverty of the people of Enugu state imposed on them by the combined effects of leadership failure at all levels and attendant poor policy decisions.
“You have increased tenement tax for bungalows in Enugu metropolis from ₦30,000 to ₦150,000 per annum. Tenement tax for high-rise buildings in high-density areas of Enugu metropolis increased from ₦50,000 to ₦300,000. Tenement tax for high-rise buildings in low-density areas of Enugu metropolis increased from ₦80,000 to ₦400,000,” Edeoga said.
He explained that Peter Mbah also increased levies for land registration and titles. He added that traders in Timber business are made to pay more than they should pay. He also identified private schools, bus operators and small businesses are areas affected by the Enugu State government’s high taxes.
Edeoga continued, “Land instrument/titles registration increased from ₦70, 000 to ₦300,00. Private schools tax increased from ₦30,000 to ₦200,000 per annum. Trading shops of all kinds were forced to pay a new flat rate of ₦21,000 wherever they are located in the state irrespective of the number of persons occupying them. This excludes charges for refuse disposal and management and other arbitrary charges.
“In timber sheds, Mr. Mbah, a single poline attracts a tax of ₦100. This in addition to the ₦21,000 the shop owners also pay.
“Daily taxes for all buses operating in the state increased from ₦200 to ₦2,000. Daily taxes for Tricycles/Keke increased from N100 to ₦450. Daily taxes for barrow pushers increased from ₦100 to ₦2,000. Small business premises tax soared to ₦25,000.
“Medium business premises tax skyrocketed to ₦56,000 while malls are made to pay ₦200,000.
“In Enugu, we have a Purchase tax which range from ₦5,000 to ₦15,000 depending on location. This has been imposed on groceries and all factory products, from which VAT had already been collected, meaning there is double taxation, assuming that all other taxes listed are morally justifiable.
“We recently got what you called Carbon emission/generator tax for hotels ranging from ₦88,000 for small hotels to ₦200,000 for big hotels.”
The Labour Party chieftain added, “This is happening when government has failed to provide stable electricity and even in the infrequent times that public power is available, the people still battle with crippling estimated billings because the power company has not democratized the installation of prepaid electricity metering systems.”
