As part of efforts to collect revenue accruing to her, Enugu State government has sealed off 13 hotels and one private school over unpaid tax.
In a speech after the exercise, the chairman of Enugu State Internal Revenue Service, Mr Emmanuel Ekene Nnamani, explained that the exercise must continue until they comply with the tax laws prevalent in the state.
Nnamani lamented that, “not up to 10 percent pay tax in Enugu,” saying that between 2015 and now the state has lost over one hundred million naira to tax evaders, pointing out that no state develops without taxation.
He added that monies accruing from donor agencies would not be enough to develop the state.
“Enugu State is losing huge amounts of money through non-payment of taxes. No government develops on donor agencies. People must pay tax for development to ensue. Let’s contribute to the development of the state by paying tax and hold government responsible and accountable,” Nnamani posits.
Nnamani also posited that it is not good that tax be waived because to do so means waiving development.
“If you waive tax, you waive development,” he said, pointing out that if people continue to comply with their civic responsibilities, in no distant time, “Enugu will be a place to behold,” he said.