The Enugu State Internal Revenue Service (ESIRS) has announced the enforcement of land use charges on 800,000 properties, including ancestral homes across various communities, effective June 1, 2024.
This initiative is part of the state’s effort to meet its N20 billion revenue target from land use charges for the year 2024.
Mr. Ekene Nnamani, Chairman of the ESIRS, disclosed that this move is aligned with Governor Peter Mbah’s administration’s disruptive innovation agenda aimed at transforming the state and boosting its internally generated revenue.
He emphasized that land and property taxes are crucial for the government’s revenue stream.
“The Enugu State Government has automated land use charge collection through the Geographic Information System (GIS), enabling the identification of 800,000 properties.
Property owners in both urban and rural areas are required to pay land use charges to support the government’s developmental plans,” Nnamani stated.
The charges vary based on the value and location of the property, ranging from N15,000 to N300,000. Even owners of ancestral homes are required to pay, as they benefit from the state’s infrastructure and services, such as schools and healthcare.
Nnamani elaborated that the charges are calculated per plot of land, meaning houses on multiple plots will incur higher fees.
He urged residents to comply with the payment to avoid penalties, stressing that tax contributions are vital for achieving the state’s developmental goals.
“The Land Use law of 2016 mandates that every property owner must pay these charges, which are collected by the Enugu State Internal Revenue Service.
Cooperation from the residents is essential for the government to realize its transformational aspirations,” he added.