The Enugu State House of Assembly on Thursday passed the State Harmonised Taxes and Levies Bill, a law aimed at organizing and regulating how taxes and levies are collected in Enugu State.
Leading the debate before the bill was passed, the Majority Leader of the Assembly, Iloabuchi Aniagu, said the law would make the Enugu State Internal Revenue Service responsible for collecting taxes in the state.
Aniagu explained that the current administration is working hard to improve the state, and this development can only be achieved through proper tax collection. He added that no society can grow without taxation.
He also said the bill would help stop the problem of illegal roadblocks by touts who collect money from motorists, describing the practice as a serious issue in the state.
Another lawmaker, Malachy Onyechi, said the bill would help prevent tax evasion when fully implemented. He noted that many people avoid paying taxes but still expect the government to provide basic services in their communities.
Also speaking, Obiajulu Ugwu said the bill shows that the state government has listened to the complaints of residents and is determined to address the issue. She added that multiple taxation has damaged the image of the state government and given the opposition a reason to criticize the administration.
Ugwu further stated that the new law would stop unnecessary extortion by different ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs).
After the bill was passed, the Speaker of the Assembly, Uche Ugwu, said the 8th Assembly is committed to reforming the tax system in the state.
He stressed that the Assembly would not allow greedy individuals to cause hardship for residents or continue to exploit people through illegal tax collection. According to him, the new law is not targeted at any person or group but is meant to bring order and transparency to tax and levy collection in the state.
