Enugu Slashes Land Rates, Abolishes Ogbonecheagu Touting Fees
…Ground Rent, Land Use Charge Unified
The Enugu State Government has abolished the use of the uncoordinated groups of youths, popularly known as Ogbonecheagu, by communities to collect additional levies from land developers under the guise of “landlord benefits,” as part of sweeping reforms aimed at harmonising land-related taxes and eliminating double taxation.
The decision was among key resolutions reached at a town hall meeting on land sector development held on Thursday in Enugu, which brought together traditional rulers, community leaders, developers, cooperative societies, estate managers, women groups, the church, and the media.
Governor Peter Mbah, represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Professor Chidiebere Onyia, said the policy was designed to ease the burden of taxation on citizens, build public trust, and attract both local and foreign investments into the state.
“The era of multiple taxation in Enugu State, particularly in the land sector, is over,” the governor declared. “Our goal is to make land administration transparent, predictable and investor-friendly, while ensuring that our people enjoy real value for the taxes they pay.”
He noted that proceeds from taxation were being channelled into people-centred infrastructure across the state, including smart green schools and primary healthcare centres in all 260 wards, urban and rural road networks, and modern public buildings.
Governor Mbah further disclosed that the government had constituted a taskforce to enforce compliance with the state’s single-tax policy, stressing that this would simplify processes for property owners seeking to obtain valid land titles.
“A task force has been constituted to enforce compliance, while members of the public who are compelled to pay such illegal charges are urged to submit evidence to Whistleblowing@enugustate.gov.ng for prompt intervention.
“We will address all genuine concerns raised by property owners within the framework of our existing policies,” he assured.
Speaking at the forum, the Executive Chairman of the Enugu State Internal Revenue Service (ESIRS), Mr Emmanuel Ekene Nnamani, reiterated the administration’s zero-tolerance stance on multiple taxation, describing it as a major impediment to investment and economic growth.
“Upon assuming office, Governor Peter Mbah recognised the severe hardship caused by double taxation, especially in the land sector,” Nnamani said. “This led to the setting up of a committee, headed by the Surveyor-General, which successfully unified land use charges and ground rent, while reducing the overall cost by over 60 per cent.”
He warned that any form of double taxation discovered going forward would be firmly resisted by the government.
In his remarks, the Commissioner for Housing, Engr Gerald Otiji, revealed that the state had commenced implementation plans under its 2026 budget, which provides for the construction of 15,000 housing units.
“Over 8,000 housing designs have already been completed and are ready for execution,” Otiji said. “We are deliberately addressing the imbalance between housing demand and supply in order to reduce rental costs and make decent accommodation more accessible to our people.”
Also, the Commissioner for Lands and Urban Development, Mr Chimaobi Okorie, said Governor Mbah has introduced critical policy directions and legal instruments, including an executive order declaring nine of the state’s seventeen local government areas as urban areas to enable planning and structured infrastructural development.
The Commissioner added that applicants seeking Certificates of Occupancy (C of O) can now apply online or walk into designated government offices for seamless processing. He further noted that the Property Protection Law signed by Governor Mbah guarantees the security of legitimate property ownership and protects investors’ assets.
In his presentation, the Managing Director of the Enugu State Geographic Information System (ENGIS), Mr Chiwetalu Nwatu, disclosed that the agency had fully digitised land administration processes within the Enugu metropolis.
“The digitisation of our land system has simplified title processing and reduced opportunities for sharp practices,” Nwatu explained. “The governor’s cost-reduction policy will encourage voluntary compliance, discourage shortcuts, and ultimately boost state revenue.”
He added that building approval for houses in non-government estates within the Enugu municipal area will now be processed exclusively by the Enugu Capital Territory Development Authority (ECTDA) to eliminate jurisdictional overlaps and administrative delays.
Participants at the townhall meeting, including traditional rulers, presidents-general of town unions, developers, estate managers, and civil society groups, took turns to highlight challenges encountered in land development, tenancy administration, and related regulatory processes.
The government, in response through the SSG, pledged to study the concerns and introduce necessary reforms where applicable, in line with its broader vision of transparent governance, ease of doing business, and inclusive urban development in Enugu State.
EDITOR
Sam Udekwe is a journalist working in the News and Current Affairs department, Enugu State Broadcasting Service (ESBS) Enugu. He is well trained in all genres of journalistic venture.
Mr Sam read Mass Communication, graduating all with Distinction in National Diploma, Higher National Diploma and Postgraduate Diploma at IMT, Enugu and Madonna University, Okija, Anambra state, as well as M.Sc Mass Communication at National Open University of Nigeria.
He is the immediate past NUJ Chairman, Enugu state.
samowailo@gmail.com
