Borno State Governor, Babagana Zulum, has pledged the state government’s support for the establishment of a regional headquarters of the Tax Ombuds of Nigeria in Maiduguri.
Zulum made the commitment on Monday, when he received the pioneer Chief Executive Officer of the Tax Ombuds of Nigeria, John Nwabueze, who led the management team of the agency on a courtesy visit to the Government House in Maiduguri.
The governor said locating the regional office in Maiduguri would further strengthen the city’s position as an administrative hub for the Northeast.
“I am pleased to welcome you to Maiduguri, and I want to assure you that the government of Borno State, under my leadership, will provide the needed political will and commitment to supporting your office, with a view to establishing the regional office in Maiduguri,” Zulum said.
Read also:
- Troops Arrest Suspected Gun Runners, Rescue 6 Victims From Terrorists In Zamfara
- Military Dislodge Boko Haram/ISWAP Camp In Adamawa, Kill 21 Terrorists
- Edo Illegal Revenue Collectors Busted as Taskforce Arrests Two in Uwelu Spare Parts Market
- Defence Minister Musa Accuses El-Rufai of Deliberate Southern Kaduna Killings
To facilitate the establishment of the office, the governor directed the Tax Ombuds team to liaise with the secretary to the state government, commissioner for finance and the Borno State Revenue Service Board.
He said the officials would work with the agency to determine its immediate requirements and develop sustainable solutions for the medium and long term.
“We shall identify what will cater for your immediate needs, while also looking into sustainable, durable solutions for the medium and long term. In the meantime, we will provide office space to you, inshallah, within the shortest possible time,” he said.
Zulum congratulated Nwabueze on his appointment and expressed his readiness to collaborate with the agency in the discharge of its mandate.
The governor described the Tax Ombuds as an important institution in Nigeria’s tax administration system, particularly in resolving disputes between taxpayers and tax authorities.
According to him, the agency serves as an independent arbiter between taxpayers and revenue-collecting authorities, filling what he described as a longstanding gap in the country’s tax administration framework.
“We have listened to the mandate of your organisation, as you have briefly mentioned — that you sit between taxpayers and the responsibility for tax collection. You are an arbiter,” Zulum said.
He noted that similar efforts in the past lacked the necessary legal backing to effectively perform such functions.
Earlier, Nwabueze said the purpose of his visit is to formally introduce himself and the Tax Ombuds office to the governor following his appointment by the president in June last year.
He described the establishment of the office as a pragmatic initiative aimed at providing relief to Nigerian taxpayers who encounter disputes and complaints involving tax and revenue authorities.
Nwabueze said the agency’s responsibility is to strengthen public trust in the tax system by protecting taxpayers’ rights and promoting fairness and transparency.
“Our responsibility is to strengthen trust in the tax system by protecting taxpayers’ rights, promoting fairness and transparency, and providing an independent avenue for resolving tax-related complaints,” he said.
He added that his role was to serve as an impartial arbiter in disputes involving citizens and tax and revenue authorities.
The Tax Ombuds chief also commended Governor Zulum for his administration’s efforts to restore peace, rebuild communities and expand educational and economic opportunities across Borno state.
