The Enugu State Government has banned all activities of non-state actors, popularly known as Ogbonecheagu, who illegally collect levies from investors and property developers across the state.
Peter Mbah, governor of Enugu State, announced the decision as part of his administration’s broader economic transformation agenda, aimed at eliminating practices that distort development and discourage investment.
The governor also approved the unification of land use charge and ground rent, slashing the combined charge by over 69 percent.
Under the new policy, property owners will now pay a single annual Unified Land Use Charge through the Enugu State Internal Revenue Service (EIRS), regardless of whether their properties are located within estates or outside them.
The governor, represented by Chidiebere Onyia, Secretary to the state government (SSG), announced this at a stakeholder town hall meeting on land sector development held on Thursday at the International Conference Centre.
Onyia said yhat the Mbah administration remained committed to building a transparent, efficient, and investor-friendly land administration system anchored on legality, digitisation, and accountability.
He described land as the legal foundation for housing, infrastructure, agriculture, commerce, and investment, stressing that the government has, since inception, pursued deliberate reforms to modernise land governance, reduce uncertainty, curb abuse, and restore public confidence in the land tenure system.
“These reforms are anchored on transparency, predictability, digitisation of records, and strict adherence to statutory processes for land allocation, registration, and development control,” Onyia said.
He added that effective land governance must be driven by continuous engagement with communities, professionals, investors, traditional institutions, and citizens.
Read also: FG signs Enugu airport concession to strengthen regional connectivity, drive economic growth – ICRC
The SSG called on local government chairmen, traditional rulers, and presidents-general of town unions to convene meetings with groups involved in illegal levy collection and ensure such practices stop immediately.
He disclosed that a task force has been constituted to enforce compliance, while members of the public who are compelled to pay illegal charges have been urged to submit evidence to Whistleblowing@enugustate.gov.ng for prompt government intervention.
According to Onyia, the government’s actions were informed by recommendations of a multi-stakeholder Committee on Land-Related Revenue and Administration set up by Governor Mbah to address complaints of multiple taxation and revenue abuse in the state by people.
Chimaobi Okorie, commissioner for Lands and Urban Development, said the governor had introduced critical policy directions and legal instruments, including an executive order declaring nine of the state’s 17 local government areas as urban areas to enable effective planning and structured infrastructure development.
He noted that the administration also enacted the Enugu State Geographic Information System (ENGIS) Law, which serves as a one-stop platform for land transactions and drives full digitisation of land processes.
According to him, land records have now been fully harmonised, eliminating missing files, while every plot of land in the state can be digitally tracked.
Okorie explained that applicants seeking Certificates of Occupancy (C of O) can now apply online or visit government offices for seamless processing, adding that the Property Protection Law signed by Governor Mbah guarantees the security of legitimate property ownership and protects investors’ assets.
Chiwetalu Nwatu, managing director of ENGIS, said all buildings located in housing estates owned by the Ministry of Housing and the Housing Development Corporation must henceforth, obtain building approval directly from the respective institutions, regardless of location.
He added that building approvals for houses in non-government estates within Enugu municipal area will now be handled exclusively by the Enugu Capital Territory Development Authority (ECTDA) to eliminate jurisdictional overlaps and administrative delays.
Emmanuel Ekene Nnamani, executive chairman of the Enugu State Internal Revenue Service (ES-IRS), said the newly signed Tax Law was designed to protect low-income earners while placing a greater tax burden on the wealthy.
He urged residents to obtain their Tax Identification Numbers (TIN) free of charge and comply with tax filing requirements to enable the government generate accurate data for development planning.
Responding to questions from stakeholders, Onyia said the town hall meeting was convened to harmonise land matters in the state for the benefit of all.
He noted that land issues require continuous review and directed the setting up of a committee, to be chaired by Chiwetalu Nwatu, ENGIS managing director, to address complaints related to layouts and recommend practical solutions within one week for government’s consideration.
