In a significant boost to tax administration and dispute resolution in Nigeria, Delta State Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Francis Oborevwori, has directed the immediate allocation of a building to host the South-South Zonal office of the Office of the Tax Ombud.
The directive was issued on Thursday in Asaba during a courtesy visit by the Tax Ombud/Chief Executive, the Office of the Tax Ombu, Dr. John C. Nwabueze.
Dr. Nwabueze, who noted that the visit marked his first official engagement in the South-South since his appointment by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, explained the core mandate of the newly established institution as an independent and impartial body created to receive, review, and resolve complaints pertaining to taxation levies, regulatory charges, customs duties, and excise matters.
He emphasized that the creation of the Office reflects a deliberate policy shift of the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Tinubu administration towards strengthening accountability, transparency, and fairness within Nigeria’s tax administration system.
Highlighting the strategic importance of the state, Dr. Nwabueze noted that Delta State occupies a pivotal position within Nigeria’s economic architecture as a major industrial and commercial hub, acknowledging that this status breeds a complex and dynamic environment that can inevitably generate disputes between taxpayers and revenue authorities.
“Such issues include multiple taxation and administrative inefficiencies, adding that taxpayer grievances require structured, credible, and impartial resolution mechanisms,” he stated.
While emphasising that taxation remains a fundamental civic obligation necessary for national development, Dr. Nwabueze assured Nigerians that, “Our approach is guided by the principles of timeliness, transparency, professionalism, and independence.”
Noting that the success of the office depends significantly on collaboration with sub-national governments, the Tax Ombud requested the partnership and support of the Delta State government to effectively operationalize its mandate within the state.
In his response, Governor Oborevwori commended President Tinubu’s vision in creating the Office of the Tax Ombud and expressed delight at the appointment of an indigene of Delta State as the pioneer occupant of the Office.
The Governor reaffirmed that Delta State fully identifies with the federal government’s reforms and is taking concrete steps to align its policies with the current administration’s drive to ensure an efficient and fair tax administration system in the country.
SIGNED:
Chukwudi Achife
Chief Press Secretary to the Tax Ombud
