Enugu Retirees, Landlords Fear Eviction Over N8m Levy

Retirees and landlords at Olympic Layout, a residential community on the outskirts of Enugu, are at risk of losing their homes following the imposition of an N8 million infrastructure levy by the state government.

Governor Peter Mbah’s administration introduced the policy in April, mandating residents to pay N10,000 per square metre as infrastructure fees and an additional N4,000 per square metre for a Certificate of Occupancy (C of O).

For a standard 540-square-metre plot, the total payment amounts to nearly N8 million — a figure residents say is higher than the market value of their properties.

Chairman of the Olympic Layout community, George Agusi, condemned the levy, describing it as unfair to homeowners, especially retirees and widows who had invested their life savings and gratuities to purchase land years ago.

> “We are not against paying levies, but the government should consider the realities on ground. Most of us are retirees. Where would we find N8 million at this difficult time? That is like buying the land all over again,” Agusi said.

He further noted that many plots in the area are worth less than the levy being demanded, urging the government to review the charges to make them affordable.