The Enugu government says its target this year is to pay salaries from the internally generated revenue (IGR) rather than rely on allocation from the federal government.

The Secretary to the State Government, Chidiebere Onyia, disclosed this at the 49th Annual Synod of the Enugu Archdiocese of the Methodist Church on Sunday.

He was representing Governor Peter Mbah at the event.

According to him, the government is determined to improve Enugu’s revenue earnings and boost its gross domestic product from N4 billion to N40 billion.

Mr Onyia explained that the government did not increase taxes but to block the loopholes in revenue generation and capture businesses that had not been paying taxes.

He encouraged residents, especially the private sector, to pay their taxes directly to government coffers.

“We have succeeded in blocking people from printing fake receipts on behalf of the government and ensured that all tax payments are paid to the government.

“Our target is to pay salaries without allocation from the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) but from our IGR,” Mr Onyia said.

He also disclosed that in the next 40 days, pipe-borne water will be available in most parts of the state capital, adding that major road constructions and rehabilitations in some parts of the state will also be completed.

Mr Onyia commended the Methodist Church for its support of the government, especially during elections, and urged the clergy to assist in teaching about behavioural change by encouraging their members to perform their civic responsibilities, including paying taxes.

(NAN)