Oborevwori, Martyns, Enebeli Demand Transparency As New Tax Law Dominates DOPF Annual Lecture
CALLS for accountability, transparency, and measurable development dominated the 2025 Annual Lecture of the Delta Online Publishers Forum (DOPF), as Delta State Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori; Chairman of the Lecture, Mr. Edward Obiefuna Martyns; and DOPF Chairman, Mr. Emmanuel Ochonogor Enebeli, emphasised that Nigeria’s new tax law must earn public trust through responsible implementation.
Speaking in Asaba, the trio insisted that the success of the reform hinges on how prudently government manages tax revenues and whether citizens can clearly see improvements in infrastructure, public services, and economic stability.
Represented by the Commissioner for Information, Mr. Charles Aniagwu, Governor Oborevwori said Nigeria stands at a crucial moment where stronger revenue mobilisation has become indispensable to national development. However, he cautioned that tax collection without accountability would only widen the trust deficit between citizens and government.
“It is not about collecting money; give the people value for their money,” he said, urging Nigerians to understand the reform and its implications. “This policy affects everyone—no one is exempt.”
In his remarks, Martyns, who chaired the lecture, said the new tax framework will significantly reshape business operations in Nigeria and deepen public scrutiny of government performance. He charged journalists to intensify their watchdog role, insist on openness in the utilisation of tax revenues, and consistently highlight how government policies affect economic opportunities.
“The Forum has a responsibility to society. As journalists, ensure proper reportage and insist that revenue is channelled into infrastructure, health, education, and a better business climate,” he stated.
Enebeli, the Forum’s Chairman, said taxation and public service delivery must operate in tandem if the reform is to succeed. Nigerians, he noted, expect tangible improvements in roads, security, and the overall economic environment once the new tax era takes off.
He praised the Delta State Government for progress on the Ughelli–Kwale–Asaba Road but urged urgent intervention on other critical routes, including the Agbor–Asaba–Onitsha Road, the Effurun–Sapele–Benin corridor, and the long-neglected Agbor–Umutu–Obiaruku–Abraka–Eku–Sapele Road. According to him, years of abandonment have led to massive job losses, business closures, and worsening economic hardship for communities along the corridor.
Enebeli further highlighted the importance of security to economic growth, commending the launch of the Delta State Security Trust Fund. He called for swift implementation of the newly passed State Community Security Bill and urged corporate bodies and citizens to support government’s security efforts to boost investor confidence.
The Annual Lecture, themed “Nigeria’s New Tax Law: Implications and Opportunities for Businesses and Society,”attracted wide participation and provided deep insights into how the legislation will reshape governance, business regulation, and public expectations as the country enters a new phase of tax reform.
