The Enugu State government in Nigeria has introduced a daily tax of ₦40 on corpses kept in mortuaries. This policy, as outlined by the Enugu State Internal Revenue Service (ESIRS), is part of the state's Birth, Deaths and Burials Law.
The directive aims to discourage families from storing deceased bodies for extended periods, with the ESIRS chairman clarifying that the tax is not primarily intended to generate revenue but to address issues related to prolonged storage.
The announcement has drawn criticism from various quarters, notably from human rights activist and former senator Shehu Sani. Expressing his disapproval, Sani remarked, "Taxing dead bodies in Enugu finally means people can no longer rest in peace." His comments underscore concerns about the dignity of the deceased and the cultural implications of such a policy.
The Enugu government, however, defends the measure, stating that it aligns with existing laws and is an indirect tax paid by mortuary owners rather than the families of the deceased.
Emmanuel Nnamani, the Executive Chairman of ESIRS, emphasized, "It is just N40, not N40,000. Since its introduction, nobody has been denied burying their dead ones."
This development highlights ongoing discussions about the balance between governmental regulations and cultural practices concerning death and burial.
As the policy continues to unfold, it raises important questions about how societies manage the intersection of tradition, economics, and governance in the treatment of the deceased.
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