Enugu State Governor, Dr. Peter Mbah, has directed all Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) to intensify efforts toward achieving the N870 billion Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) target outlined in the state’s 2026 fiscal plan.
The governor explained that reliance on external income sources, particularly allocations from the Federal Account Allocation Committee (FAAC), has become increasingly uncertain due to ongoing global geo-political tensions. As a result, he stressed the need for the state to strengthen its internal revenue base.
Mbah issued the directive on Monday during a Holy Mass held at the Government House Chapel to officially commence activities in government offices for the new year. He warned that the state must remain proactive and prepared in the face of unpredictable global economic developments.
It will be recalled that the governor recently assented to a landmark N1.62 trillion 2026 budget. According to him, the budget is expected to be financed through N870 billion from IGR, N387 billion from FAAC allocations, and N329 billion in capital receipts.
Addressing a congregation that included leaders of the executive, legislative and judicial arms of government, political appointees, traditional rulers, captains of industry and other stakeholders,Mbah urged both appointees and career civil servants to increase productivity. He noted that meeting the ambitious revenue target depends largely on the efficiency and quality of services delivered to businesses and residents of the state.
He said: “Given all the geo-political tensions across the globe, it is not going to be easy, particularly with our revenue projections. We just do not have clarity as to the direction things would go.
“It is extremely important we ensure that we realise the domestic revenue projection we set for ourselves this year so that we are then able to absorb the shock coming from all these geo-political tensions across the globe.
“To realise that projection comes from doing your own bit. We have ambitious revenue targets across the different MDAs. Our revenue comes based on the speed and quality of services you render. Let us have a renewed vigour to do our own bit and play our own roles,” he stated.
The governor further emphasized that the success or failure of the administration in 2026 would largely depend on the commitment and teamwork of the state’s workforce, describing civil servants as central to the government’s performance.
“Importantly, to our workers, we are still going to be counting on your support as civil servants and Permanent Secretaries.
“We have always said that you are the engine room of whatever success we achieve. We have to double down this year. Those little things we do, getting to work on time, treating documents expeditiously, and making sure that we play our own part in the scheme of things, matter a lot.
“We also have to continue to be champions of teamwork. We have to essentially understand that we are only as good as our weakest link. We need to support one another, knowing that we are working for one common objective; to serve the people,” he said.
While expressing appreciation to the people of Enugu State and the church for their prayers, guidance and continued support, Mbah underscored the importance of honest and constructive feedback in governance.
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“We do not lay claim to being perfect. What we lay claim to is our resolve to serve the people optimally. That is why undiluted feedback and holding us to account become very important,” he concluded.
In his sermon, the Chaplain of the Government House Chapel, Rev. Fr. Anthony Udeh, praised Governor Mbah’s leadership style, describing him as a servant leader genuinely committed to the welfare of the people. He pointed to the numerous completed and ongoing projects, as well as reforms introduced by the administration, as evidence of a leader driven by passion and a vision for sustainable development.
The Holy Mass drew the attendance of top government officials, including Deputy Governor Barr. Ifeanyi Ossai; Speaker of the Enugu State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Uchenna Ugwu; Chief Judge of Enugu State, Justice Afojulu Ozoemena; and Chairman of the Enugu State Traditional Rulers Council, HRM Igwe Samuel Ikechukwu Asadu, among many others.