ECTDA Bars LGAs From Collection Of Development, Empowerment Levies

Posted by Ignatius Okpara African News, Featured, Latest Headlines, News, News Across Nigeria, News From The State Tuesday, June 8th, 2021

(AFRICAN EXAMINER) – The Enugu Capital Territory Development Authority, (ECTDA), has barred the three municipal councils areas in Enugu capital city from collection of various building levies which it said is its sole responsibility and illegal for local governments to collect.

It listed the levies to include, building approval and Due Process Compliance levy; Development levy, Site Maintenance levy; Youth Empowerment levy and Container permit.

According to the agency, the affected LGAs are Enugu North, Enugu South and Enugu East local government councils, all within the jurisdiction of Enugu Capital Territory Development Authority, ECTDA.

Subsequently, the Authority has directed security agencies to arrest and prosecute defaulters and agents of the councils whom it accused of promoting double taxation and making lives miserable for developers and residents in the state capital.

In a Compliance Notice issued to the affected three local government councils, on Monday, Chairman of ECTDA, Dr. Josef Onoh, described Demand Notices of Building Approval served by the councils as illegal since the victims eventually come to ECTDA to make another payment.

He said, “in line with the above listed illegal acts, we are compelled to put you in the know of the provisions of the law giving powers to the Authority to function within the capital territory. ECTDA laws of 2009 No.5 and Revised of 2014 gives the agency the sole responsibility to enforce compliance with appropriate standards in the Development of Enugu Capital City.

“These excessive and illegal actions by your staff contravenes and usurps the powers and functions of the Authority as provided in sections 16 (2) and (4) of ECTDA law.

“In view of the foregoing, all activities being carried out within the capital territory by agents parading in the form and style of (Youth Empowerment) in relation to infrastructural development and municipal services (which in itself tantamount to double taxation) is hereby banned with immediate effect,” Onoh directed the councils.

Onoh stated that the agency will not allow anybody to undermine the efforts Governor Ifeanyi Ugwu has put in place for the development and attraction of investments to the state and warned law breakers to beware.

He further charged the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, and the Independent Corrupt Practice and other Related Offences Commission, ICPC, to prosecute any defaulting council chairman.