The Real Estate Developers Association of Nigeria (REDAN), Enugu State chapter, in partnership with the Enugu State Internal Revenue Service (ESIRS), held a landmark stakeholder partnership forum, Friday (yesterday). The event which held at the Amadeo Event Centre, Enugu, brought together real estate developers, investors, and tax administrators to deliberate on Enugu State tax reforms and their implications for the property sector.
Presided over by Engr. Chima Ike, Chairman of REDAN Enugu, alongside the association’s secretary, Mr. Dickson Onuchukwu, the forum created an avenue for clarifying tax responsibilities, providing regulatory updates, and building stronger engagement channels between government agencies and industry stakeholders.
In his remarks, the Executive Chairman of the Enugu State Internal Revenue Service, Mr. Emmanuel Ekene Nnamani, emphasized that taxation, though sometimes viewed as burdensome, was the foundation of infrastructure and social development. “This interaction ensures that developers understand both their rights and responsibilities, while the State fulfils its own obligations,” Nnamani said, stressing that sustainable development depends on shared responsibility between government and citizens.
He further clarified that the Enugu property tax system was not being increased but rather broadened to capture the informal sector. According to him, this approach ensures fairness and equity, while relieving compliant taxpayers of the feeling that they are carrying the entire burden alone. “Our goal is not to overburden those already paying, but to bring more people into the system so that development is funded collectively,” he explained.
Mr. Nnamani noted that property agreements, particularly the stamping of duties, remained a critical compliance area requiring greater awareness. “Many developers were unaware that unstamped documents cannot be admitted in court. Addressing such gaps will prevent disputes, strengthen compliance, and ultimately safeguard the investments of our developers and residents,” he pointed out.
A cross-section of participants
Delegates at the forum described the session as interactive and necessary, with participants acknowledging the government’s efforts to simplify the taxation process. “When people can clearly see that their taxes are going into roads, schools, hospitals, and security, then taxation is no longer seen as a burden but as a contribution to the growth of society,” Nnamani added, appealing to residents to support government efforts at building visible and lasting infrastructure.
Also speaking, Mr. Ugochukwu Chime, Chairman of the South-East chapter of the Nigerian Employers’ Consultative Association (NECA) and a Chairman of Copen Group commended the initiative as a progressive milestone in Enugu State tax reforms. “These are the necessary pains of taxation,” he remarked. “The key is to help people see it as a source of development funding. This dialogue is a positive development, and we would like to see more of it.”
The REDAN Chairman, Engr. Ike, assured participants that the association would continue to engage constructively with the state’s tax authorities, highlighting that transparency and trust are indispensable in attracting more investments into real estate development in Enugu. He urged developers to take advantage of the opportunity to align with government policies and contribute to shaping a fairer tax regime.
The forum closed with a joint commitment to sustained advocacy, education, and collaboration between developers and tax administrators. Both sides agreed that a transparent, equitable, and inclusive tax system – anchored on partnership between the people and government – remains vital to ensuring growth in Enugu property tax administration while protecting the interests of investors and residents alike. GMTNewsng
