Enugu to host South-East headquarters of Tax Ombud office

Enugu State has been designated as the South-East Zonal Headquarters of the Office of the Tax Ombud, a move aimed at improving taxpayer support services and strengthening tax administration across the region.

The Tax Ombud and Chief Executive of the Office of the Tax Ombud, John Nwabueze, disclosed this during a meeting with Enugu State Governor, Peter Mbah, at the Government House in Enugu.

Nwabueze said the decision was informed by Enugu’s strategic position as a major commercial and industrial hub, noting that the state plays a significant role in economic activities and revenue generation in the region.

He explained that the Office of the Tax Ombud was established to provide taxpayers with an independent and impartial platform for resolving disputes involving taxes, levies, regulatory fees, customs duties, and other revenue-related matters.

According to him, effective dispute resolution would encourage voluntary tax compliance, reduce friction between taxpayers and revenue authorities, and improve public confidence in the tax system.

The Tax Ombud also highlighted the recent launch of the Office’s website, toll-free call centre, and digital case management portal, which enables taxpayers to submit complaints, access information, and track cases in real time.

He called for closer collaboration with the Enugu State Government to promote taxpayer protection and support ongoing tax reforms aimed at building a fair and efficient tax administration system.

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Responding, Governor Mbah welcomed the designation and expressed the state’s readiness to host the zonal headquarters, including providing the necessary facilities.

Citing his administration’s commitment to growing the state’s economy from $4.4 billion to $30 billion within eight years through private sector-driven investments.

The governor said the Office of the Tax Ombud would play a critical role in improving tax compliance, blocking revenue leakages, and supporting the state’s efforts to expand its revenue base and economic growth.

He also lauded President Tinubu for his reform initiatives, particularly the tax reforms necessary to drive sustainable revenue growth required for government to provide quality education, healthcare, infrastructure and other essential public services.