Enugu Assembly passes bill to harmonise taxes, ban illegal roadblocks

The Enugu State House of Assembly has passed a landmark bill aimed at harmonising taxes and levies across the state and eliminating illegal collections that have long burdened residents.

The bill, titled ‘Enugu State Harmonised Taxes and Levies (Approved List for Collection) Law, 2026,’ was passed after extensive deliberations and legislative scrutiny, including a review by the committee of the whole House.

Lawmakers said the legislation was designed to curb multiple taxation, promote transparency, and ensure that all tax collections are properly verified through the Enugu State Board of Internal Revenue.

Iloabuchi Aniagu, representing Nkanu West State Constituency, who spoke during the plenary highlighted the persistent problem of illegal roadblocks used to collect unauthorised levies, particularly along federal highways and urged residents to verify taxes directly with the Board of Internal Revenue to avoid paying illegal charges.

“With this bill, we will put a stop to these roadblocks so that every collection of any state tax will be straight,” Aniagu said, stressing the need for proper public awareness.

Malachy Onyechi representing Nsukka West Constituency described the legislation as a step toward greater transparency and good governance.

According to him, harmonised taxes would strengthen government revenue and support infrastructural development across the state.

He also emphasised the need for public education on tax structures to ensure citizens understand their obligations and the workings of government.

Similarly, Okey Mbah, representing Nkanu East State Constituency, said the law would boost investor confidence by creating a predictable and stable tax environment and called for robust public sensitisation to prevent misinformation.

He noted that once the bill is signed into law by Governor Peter Mbah, it would help curb the activities of fake tax agents who impose illegal levies on residents.

However, some lawmakers raised concerns about enforcement and penalties. Raymond Ugwu argued that the proposed sanctions for illegal tax collection might be too lenient and suggested the establishment of a regulatory board to oversee enforcement and determine appropriate penalties.

Despite the concerns, the legislation is widely seen as a significant step toward creating a more transparent and efficient tax system in Enugu State.

Lawmakers expressed optimism that the measure will protect residents from arbitrary levies while strengthening fiscal discipline and improving governance in the state.