The Enugu State Government says it has not increased tax rate, but has only expanded the tax drag net with formidable commitment to enforcing the already existing tax laws in the state.
Governor of the state, Dr. Peter Mbah made this known on Saturday during a Town Hall meeting organised for Ndi Enugu at the Old Government Lodge with the theme; “Issues of governance; the journey so far”.
The governor while assuring that his administration was ready to demonstrate in action, the outcome of the meeting, said all the Smart Schools which are under construction in the 260 political wards in the state will be fully operational by September 2025.
He noted that there will be 12 years of compulsory and free education for pupils of Enugu state who are going to be equipped with digital equipment such as tablets and computers.
According to Mbah, “Plans are underway for the establishment of a centre for experiential learning and innovation for prospective smart school teachers where they will be trained on Information Communication System, Mechatronics, Augmented and virtual reality”.
He noted that with Mechatronics system, a teacher can handle pupils in different locations at the same time.
Dr. Mbah said the construction of type 2 primary health care centres are underway which are going to be equipped with solar powered power supply and other modern equipment.
He said his administration has plans to build health care centres and health facilities across all the markets in the state.
On the challenges of water supply in the state, the governor warned tanker drivers to desist from sabotaging government efforts on the water project, vowing that anyone caught will be made to face the full wrath of the law. He also warned that anybody who builds or those that have built on water ways would be made to pay rather than demolish their houses.
On their part, participants at the Town Hall Meeting commended the governor for his achievements so far in areas of road infrastructure, water, health, security, education among others.
They tasked the governor on the full implementation of his campaign promises with special attention to poverty eradication and general welfare of the people.
The town hall meeting attracted representatives of the Civil Society Organisations, Women, Students, Youths, Business Owners, Traders, Transport Unions, People Living with Disabilities, Professional Associations, traditional rulers, and the media.
VON