The Enugu Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines, and Agriculture (ECCIMA) has asked the state government to pursue a one-stop, unified tax payment system in the state.

President of ECCIMA, Odeiga Jideonwo, said the system would prevent the multiple payment of the same tax to both the state and local governments at the same time.

Speaking at the 51st Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Chamber, Jideonwo, however, praised the consolidated efforts of the Enugu State Government to improve the state’s business environment.

He urged Governor Peter Mbah to facilitate the opening of the new International Terminal building at the Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu, even as he announced that the 36th Enugu International Trade Fair would hold on April 4.

Also speaking, ECCIMA Board of Trustees member Mr. Rob Anwatu decried the increase in taxes by the state government and appealed to it to spread its tax net to accommodate those who had not been paying taxes, rather than overburdening those already paying.

“Last year, the daily e-ticket per truck was N1,700, but this year, it has increased to N4,000. I want the government to involve us in certain decisions,” he appealed.

Governor Mbah, who was represented at the occasion, said his administration was working hard to expand its tax net to include residents who have not been paying taxes.

Represented by his Deputy, Mr. Ifeanyi Ossai, the governor, who acknowledged the marginal increase in tax by his government, promised to continue partnering with the private sector to move the state forward.

“Part of what we are trying to do is to expand the tax net so that those who have not been paying can start paying something.

“Why we are trying to expand the tax net is to enable everyone to contribute, no matter how little, and create a system that is structured, putting everybody on the same platform so that investors and investments can come into the state,” he said.

Mbah explained that what his administration did was simply to block the loopholes and leakages from those who had benefitted from a system with some gaps.

While praising the organized private sector for the support his administration has received over the years, he promised to provide the conducive atmosphere that would allow them to thrive.