Enugu State Governor, Dr. Peter Mbah, says the state might earn more than its N600 billion revenue goal for 2025. He also believes that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) will overcome its current problems and become strong again.
He made these statements during a chat with members of the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE) at their Biennial Convention held in Enugu over the weekend.
Governor Mbah revealed that Enugu made N144 billion in Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) in 2024. He added that the state can now fund its many ongoing projects without needing help from outside sources.
He explained that his government didn’t increase taxes but instead brought more people into the tax system who were not paying taxes before. This helped boost the state's revenue.
According to governor Peter Mbah “Before I became governor, Enugu used to make about N25 billion each year from IGR. But this year, we’re expecting around N600 billion, maybe even more. Many people thought we raised tax rates, but that’s not true. We just expanded the tax base and blocked loopholes.”
He also mentioned that the government has moved from cash payments to digital systems to avoid corruption and waste. By automating payments and using digital platforms, more money is now going directly into the government’s account.
Governor Mbah shared that the state’s projects are not just about roads and buildings they are also about building people and improving systems. His administration is training civil servants and running all government agencies (over 111 MDAs) on a new e-governance platform.
He said, “We’re preparing for the future. Even though some of our projects may not show results right away, they will make a big difference in the long run.”
Mbah listed three major goals his government is working toward:
- Grow the economy – from $4.4 billion to $30 billion in eight years.
- End poverty – by investing in schools, healthcare, jobs, and youth empowerment
- Make Enugu a top place for investment and tourism – by planning and connecting all projects for long term impact.
When asked if he plans to leave the PDP due to recent party defections, Mbah replied, “There is no option for independent candidates in our constitution, so I’m staying in PDP. Yes, the party is going through challenges, but we are working on it. We won’t let it distract us from fulfilling our promises.”
In conclusion, Governor Peter Mbah concluded by saying, “at the end, the people will decide whether we did well and deserve another chance or not.”
