Enugu Retirees Face Property Loss Over Mbahs N8m Levy

Landlords in Olympic Layout, Enugu State, are raising alarm as the deadline for the N8 million infrastructure levy imposed by Governor Peter Mbah’s administration draws closer.

Most of the affected residents are retirees who fear losing their lifelong investments to government takeover if they fail to pay.

The community, once peaceful, has become a ground for tension as property owners question the fairness of the policy. Many argue that after spending their savings and gratuities to acquire land, being asked to pay millions for infrastructure and certificate of occupancy is like repurchasing their property.

Residents say the levy amounts to N10,000 per square meter for infrastructure and N4,000 per square meter for a Certificate of Occupancy. In total, many landlords are being billed between N8 million and N12 million for properties valued at far less.

For the retirees, the demand comes at a time of financial hardship. Some are still owed pensions and gratuities, while others, including widows, rely on meager incomes. They insist that the levy is not only unrealistic but also insensitive to their struggles.

Beyond the levy, landlords point to the absence of basic amenities in the community. They complain about poor waste management, lack of infrastructure, and rising insecurity, saying the government has failed to provide the very services it is charging heavily for.

The residents also accuse the policy of worsening insecurity, with thefts and communal disputes making life even more difficult in the area. They say they expected government support to stabilize the community rather than policies that could strip them of their homes.

With the October deadline only weeks away, many homeowners are appealing for a review. They are asking for the levy to be reduced to a manageable sum and for more time to pay. They warn that enforcing the current policy will not only impoverish retirees but also displace families who have no alternative homes.

Despite repeated pleas, the state government has shown no sign of backing down, leaving thousands of landlords uncertain about the fate of their properties.