Enugu State Governor, Dr. Peter Mbah, has issued a direct challenge to all Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) in the state: they must work collectively to achieve an ambitious Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) target of N870 billion for the 2026 fiscal year. The governor emphasized that this goal is critical due to the unpredictability of federal revenue sources.
A Budget Built on Internal Strength
Governor Mbah delivered this charge during a Holy Mass at the Government House Chapel in Enugu, an event that marked the formal commencement of work for the new year. The gathering was attended by a broad spectrum of state leaders, including heads of the three arms of government, political office holders, industry captains, and traditional rulers.
He reminded attendees that the state's recently signed record-breaking N1.62 trillion budget for 2026 is predicated on specific revenue streams. The budget is expected to be funded by the N870 billion IGR target, a projected N387 billion from Federal Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) disbursements, and N329 billion from capital receipts.
Global Tensions Demand Local Fiscal Resilience
Governor Mbah justified the intense focus on internal revenue by pointing to the prevailing geopolitical tensions around the world. He stated that these global developments make external revenue sources like FAAC allocations unreliable. "Given global developments, the state should not allow itself to be taken unawares," Mbah cautioned.
He called on both political appointees and civil servants to redouble their efforts, directly linking the projected IGR to the quality of service they provide to businesses and residents. The governor described the state's workforce as the "anvil" upon which the administration's success or failure in the new year will be forged, stressing the need for dedication and team spirit throughout 2026.
A Call to Servant Leadership and Collective Effort
The religious service also featured a homily by the Chaplain of the Government House Chapel, Rev. Fr. Anthony Udeh. He described Governor Mbah as a "servant leader" who is earnestly dedicated to the wellbeing of the people of Enugu State.
This event sets a clear tone for the administration's priorities in the coming year, placing enormous responsibility on the state's bureaucracy to innovate and drive revenue generation from within Enugu's economy, thereby reducing dependency on volatile federal allocations.
