Mbah insisted that his administration had grown the states Internally Generated Revenue, IGR, by widening the tax net to bring in more taxable persons, blocked revenue leakages, and tackled sharp practices that hitherto drained public revenues by introducing Consolidated Demand Notice, e-ticketing as well as recovery, optimisation, and monetisation of the state’s assets.

He stressed that the Enugu State Government did not have power to increase or reduce taxes under the 1999 Constitution, as it was the exclusive preserve of the federal government.

The governor provided the clarifications in an exclusive interview aired by Afia Television, Wednesday evening.

“First, as a state, we are not able to legislate on taxation. It is in the exclusive legislative list, which can only be legislated on by the National Assembly. Whether it is your Personal Income Tax, your Company Income Tax, your Value Added Tax or your Withholding Tax, those taxes can only be legislated on by the National Assembly,” he clarified.

Mbah said that those framing the false narratives could not come to terms that his administration could scale up the state’s IGR from N26.8bn the state recorded in 2022 to N37.4bn by the end of 2023, N180.5bn in 2024, and N406.7bn in 2025.

“I think for those framing this false narrative, it is beyond their imagination that we could optimise our dormant assets and grow our revenue exponentially.

“They fail or refuse to take note of the fact that in 2025, for instance, tax revenue accounted for for only N51.5bn or 12.6 per cent of the N406.7bn IGR, while non-tax revenue was N355.2bn or 87.4 per cent,” the governor added.

As for the areas within the states’ competence, such as rates and levies, Mbah explained that his administration had already taken steps to crash the payable amounts for certain services provided by Enugu State Government.

“For those rates and fees, we constituted a committee that also included market leaders, organised labour, Chamber of Commerce and Industry, among others, which went around to get what the other states within the South East were charging. It turned out that Enugu is the lowest in the South East. But that notwithstanding, we crashed that rates even further by 70 per cent especiallyin land sectors,” he stated.

He, however, acknowledged the activities of illegal  revenue collectors, saying the recently passed Enugu State Harmornised Taxes and Levies (Approved List for Collection) Law, 2026, would finally eliminate road blocks and unauthorised collections that have burdened residents of the State.

He added that the government will up enforcement and public enlightenment to checkmate the activities of extortionists.

“Under our laws, we have consolidated all these services and you only just have one payment that you make and you are done with all the services that the government provides.

“Some people still go about extorting money from helpless citizens because this is a practice that has gone on over the years. But we have constituted a standing task force to track and bring them to book.  We also want the citizens to report them. We now have several toll-free lines where citizens can call freely. They do not have to have airtime to place such calls,” he concluded.

The event, hosted by MCBA in collaboration with BlueprintAfric and ePay, amongst other prominent brands, held at the prestigious Oakland Hotel in Enugu on December 1st, 2023, brought together a diverse community of tech enthusiasts, startup founders, industry leaders, creatives, and emerging talents.

The evening commenced at 4 pm with a vibrant Red Carpet, courtesy of BlueprintAfric, the event’s media partner.

The atmosphere was set aglow by the energetic Master of Ceremonies, establishing a mood that resonated throughout the night.

As attendees mingled and connected, the event showcased a myriad of activities, ranging from engaging games like card games, Jenga, basketball, and table tennis to immersive attractions such as sip & paint, cocktails, and an electrifying DJ performance.

The diverse mix of participants, including startup founders, tech industry key players, designers, software developers, tech journalists, bloggers, copywriters, social media managers, and emerging tech talents, created a dynamic and collaborative environment.

The event’s after-party, marked by the DJ’s stellar performance, took the electrifying energy to new heights, ensuring that attendees unwound in style.

One of the highlights of the evening was the insightful discussions among creatives about the tech ecosystem in the southeast, the qualities that make it distinct, and how it can be developed.

Elvis Obi-Nwankwo, the founder of MCBA and chief organiser of the event, shared his vision for “Unwind the East,” stating,

“We understand how tasking working in the tech industry is. I’m not saying that it is not the same with other creatives, but the nature of working in a tech ecosystem creates little time for techies to have a thriving social life. That is why my co-founder, Ihenacho Michael Bennert Ikechukwu, and I, had to partner with other brands dedicated to community building to organise this event. A place where techies and creatives can socialise and exchange ideas that will enhance individual and collective growth.”

Notable guests, including Christian Brain Okoli, Co-Founder of Blueafric Media; Emeka Mba, Founder of Afia TV and Afia Radio; Arthur Chukwuemeka Ibik, CEO of Yebox; Bamigbe Arowosegbe, Wema Bank; Arthur Nkemeh, Head of SME Business – Wema Bank; Remi Ademiju, Founder and ED of SME 100 Africa, and other key players in the tech industry, enriched the event with their presence, contributing to the insightful conversations about the southeast’s tech landscape.

Competitive games added an extra layer of excitement, with attendees winning prizes ranging from backpacks to headphones—essential accessories for any creative.

The event concluded with attendees in high spirits, having experienced premium fun, unwound from work stress, and forged meaningful connections.

One attendee, who had been grappling with creative blockage, shared his experience, stating,

“I had been facing creative block for almost a month due to an overwhelming workload, but this event was a detox that purged me of all imaginative obstacles. I’m ready to hit my desk again with a refreshed and refuelled mind.”

“Unwind the East” proved to be more than just a tech gathering; it was a captivating experience that defined the future of the South East’s tech ecosystem.

As the event organisers continue to receive accolades for their vision, dedication, and execution, it is evident that “Unwind the East” has set a new standard for tech mixers in the region, leaving attendees eagerly anticipating the next edition.

Following the triumphant success of “Unwind the East,” tech enthusiasts and industry leaders are gearing up for the Africa Tech and New Media Conference set to take place in March 2024.

This forthcoming conference promises to be the largest congregation of tech founders, startups, Fortune 500 companies, policymakers, and creative talents in the tech and media space.

The conference aims to provide a platform for in-depth discussions, networking opportunities, and collaborations that will shape the future of Africa’s tech and new media landscape.

Stay tuned for an immersive experience that goes beyond borders, unlocking new possibilities and fostering innovation in the heart of the continent.

Some of the personalities and activities at Unwind the East 2023:

Afia TV, the first television station on DSTV and GoTv in the South Eastern region, has announced its partnership with Anaedo TV; an online television channel, to inform, enlighten and educate viewers on the news, personalities, and events from Nnewi, Anambra State.

The partnership will benefit viewers in Anambra State and beyond, as it will expand coverage and provide more in-depth, and timely news and event coverage in the state.

According to Emeka Mba, managing director, AfiaTv, as part of the partnership, Afia TV will feature exclusive content from Anaedo TV on its satellite channel, while Anaedo TV will have access to Afia TV’s resources and expertise in regional news coverage. This will allow both media organizations to produce high-quality programming that informs and entertains their viewers.

He said the partnership is a great example of how to win in rapidly changing media markets, such that it combines the powers of traditional TV and online digital channels, which represents a shared commitment to delivering quality programmes that resonate with viewers in Southeast Nigeria.

“We are confident our joint efforts will strengthen our position in the southeast and Anambra State specifically, providing our viewers with timely and relevant news and entertainment content from Nnewi and other parts of Anambra.

“It is the embodiment of media convergence, bringing together content and viewers from different platforms, across different demographics, exposing them to a myriad of views, programmes and information sources,” Mba said.

He ended by expressing Afia TV”s commitment to telling the South-Eastern stories, building meaningful partnerships and exporting local content.