“Time to get a DIY mortuary at home”, “people can no longer rest in peace” — these are some of the reactions trailing the N40 daily mortuary tax by the Enugu state government.
On Saturday, Emmanuel Nnamani, chair of the Enugu State Internal Revenue Service (ESIRS), said the state would begin enforcing the tax to discourage prolonged corpse storage in morgues.
Nnamani spoke in response to a circular dated September 17, 2024, which outlines the implementation of a mortuary tax in line with section 34 of the Birth, Deaths, and Burials Law Cap 15, revised in the Enugu state laws of 2004.
The circular instructed mortuary attendants to ensure that a fee of N40 is paid daily for corpses that are not buried within 24 hours.
Advertisement
Nnamani said the tax is not new and has been part of the state’s law for years.
Many Nigerians have taken to social media to pass comments on the development.
Shehu Sani, a former Kaduna senator, said: “taxing dead bodies in Enugu finally means people can no longer rest in peace”.
Advertisement
Another X user commented that the government was only trying to “end the situation where corpses are kept in a morgue for months before being buried”.
From comic comments to concurrence and outright criticism, below are some of the reactions on X.
Taxing Dead bodies in Enugu finally means people can no longer rest in peace.
— Senator Shehu Sani (@ShehuSani) October 13, 2024
Advertisement
It’s now double wahala for dead body and the owner of the dead body
— Paul of Truth (@iam_paulash) October 13, 2024
Advertisement
Who is in his right senses is taxing dead bodies
— Evangeline Chinyere (@EvansOchinyere) October 13, 2024
Advertisement
Those who are taxing the dead will also get their own body taxed.. Or maybe they've forgotten they won't live forever.
Advertisement— Nwafresh 🍥 (@Nwafresh) October 13, 2024
Advertisement
Contrary…it will reduce the length of storage and create more space for others to use the facility. Don't just keep your dead there because you have the money to pay for the mortuary bill….others need the space too.
— godseyepro (@JohnSte17288304) October 13, 2024
It's to get your own DIY mortuary at home.
— Mr Tammy (@tamiz00) October 13, 2024
What will Enugu State revenue office do to anybody who refuses to pay this mortuary tax.
Maybe them fit come hijack the dead body go keep for Lion building museum.
Aloota ✊✊✊😂 pic.twitter.com/rTvib8rlDV
— Emeodi Mba (@EmodiMba) October 11, 2024
If you like go ahead and die in this Tinubu economy. You must pay Enugu State Government for dying since you want to use death to use style and die. All of us go pay tax. pic.twitter.com/Ao4NaqwfVz
— ijeoma Ezeasor (@EzeasorIje) October 11, 2024
This could prevent the re-election of Mbah
Traditionally, the Umunna will 'inspect' the body before burial
With them scattered all over the country, 24hours is too short. Only elders in the village will see it
This'll lead claims of "they want to bury my father like a chicken"
— Arinze Maduekwe (@arinzemaduekwe) October 12, 2024
What kind of nonsense tax law is this?
— Mazi Wordsmith (@mazi_wordsmith) October 12, 2024
I believe reasoning for doing this is the curb the excesses village people tax the families of the dead, before they bury their love ones…if person die just go bury am, go carry am go mortuary waiting to have a big party and all sorts of bury rites… person wey do die don die
— Kensola (@NIrorere80559) October 13, 2024
Add a comment
