In recent times, the people of Enugu State have been subjected to an overwhelming burden of taxation under the administration of His Excellency, Barr. Peter Ndubuisi Mbah. What was once a land of peace and promise is now echoing with the cries of small business owners, artisans, transporters, market women, and even students all crushed under the weight of excessive levies and relentless revenue drives.
From multiple daily tickets demanded from Keke and bus operators to skyrocketing market taxes that have pushed many traders out of business, the situation has become unbearable. Hawkers are harassed, shops are sealed, and local enterprises are struggling to stay afloat. The so-called “revenue agents,” often acting with aggression and impunity, have become a source of fear, rather than service.
This aggressive revenue drive is happening in a time of extreme economic hardship. Inflation is soaring, naira has weakened, fuel costs have tripled, and unemployment continues to rise. Yet instead of cushioning the effects of this economic downturn, the current government appears more focused on draining the little left in the hands of ordinary citizens.
Where are the palliative measures? Where is the social safety net for the poor? Where is the empathy?
The voice of the masses must not be silenced. We call on Governor Mbah to review the taxation policy, curb the excesses of revenue collectors, and adopt a more humane, inclusive, and strategic approach to internally generated revenue that does not deepen poverty and hopelessness.
Enugu people are not lazy. We are resilient and hardworking. But we can no longer bear a system that punishes survival and rewards aggression. The streets are groaning, and the voices are growing louder.
It’s time to listen. It’s time to act. Enugu deserves better.
Comr. Austin Okwu.
