Edo Govt to Seal Premises of Tax Defaulters

By Simeon OSAJIE

Edo State Government has disclosed plans to seal premises of tax defaulters who have consistently refused to pay their property tax, ground rent and tenement rate in accordance with Section 30 of the Edo State Land Use Charge ( LUC) laws.

The defaulters include companies such as NPDC, Barnsley Int’l Coy Ltd, Ossiomo Power, Okpella Cement (Dangote Group), 7 Up Bottling Company Ltd., Nigerian Bottling Coy Ltd. and others operating in the State without complying with the extant Law which requires them to pay the Land Use Charge to the State Government.

Sources close to the state government emphasized that the decision to sanction the defaulters stemmed from their failure to comply with the provisions of the Law despite being constantly reminded in recent past.

The sources added that government had concluded plans to seal premises of such companies operating after the expiration of the enforcement notice earlier issued to them on 24th July, 2025, published in national dailies and several social media platforms as required by Law.

The idea behind the debt recovery drive was not only to sanction recalcitrant defaulters but also recoup all outstanding LUC indebtedness to government.

Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo had repeatedly harped on the need to fastrack infrastructural development across the state, which has been roundly commended as encouraging enough to tax-payers.

Director of Media at the EdoGIS, Dr. Tunde Eigbiremolen commended companies and individuals who have consistently paid their taxes even without being reminded.

He assured that the government has a way of rewarding such companies and individuals.

Recall that earlier on August 27, 2025, a number of commercial premises in Benin metropolis were sealed by the State Government enforcement team, for breach of the LUC law which requires owners/occupiers to settle their outstanding bills to the government.

The next round of enforcement is expected to extend beyond Benin metropolis, including Edo North and Central Senatorial Districts.

The Land Use Charge (LUC) is a consolidated Land-based tax that includes property tax, ground rent, and the tenement rate.

The enabling laws empower Edo state to collect such taxes through the Edo Internal Revenue Service (EIRS) and the Edo State Geographic Information Service (Edo GIS).

Eigbiremolen had also hinted that financial institutions such as banks, filling stations, trading companies, private residences and others will be targeted in the next round of enforcement across the state.