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I am pleased to enclose the Communique stemming from the insightful discussions and resolutions at the annual lecture and convention held by the Delta Online Publishers Forum (DOPF) on November 22, 2023, in Asaba, Delta State.

This Communique encapsulates the conclusions drawn from the deliberations among esteemed keynote participants and experts in the field.

Titled Fiscal Policy and Taxation: Balancing Revenue Generation and Economic Growth, the convention brought together distinguished individuals including Dr. Chief Samuel J. Eshenake (JP), Secretary, Uvwie Council of Chiefs, Delta State, as Chairman Dr. (Mrs) Doris Amaka Ochei, Founder and President of the Doris Amaka Ochei Foundation, as the Keynote Speaker, and the esteemed panel of Guest Discussants comprising Hon. (Barr) Bridget Anyafulu, Dr. Frank Nwugo, and Mr. Bonny Akaeze, with Mr. Benjamin Ovberedjo serving as the Moderator.

The Communique presents a comprehensive overview of the resolutions reached during the convention, emphasizing crucial points pivotal to the enhancement of fiscal policies and taxation systems. The outlined resolutions highlight imperative aspects, ranging from the significance of tax payments to the role of technology in improving revenue generation and the need for inclusive tax systems.

As Chairman of the Delta Online Publishers Forum (DOPF), I am honoured to submit this Communique, confident in its potential to contribute significantly to the ongoing discourse surrounding fiscal policies and taxation strategies, particularly within Delta State and beyond.

I trust that the insights and recommendations encapsulated within this document will serve as a valuable resource for further deliberations and actions aimed at fostering sustainable economic growth and equitable fiscal policies.

Should you require any further information or wish to engage in discussions regarding the Communique, please do not hesitate to reach out to us.

Thank you for your attention and continued support towards advancing discussions on critical socio-economic matters.

Warm regards,

Emmanuel Ochonogor Enebeli,

Chairman, Delta Online Publishers Forum (DOPF)

November 23, 2023

COMMUNIQUE of DOPF CONVENTION/LECTURE 2023

The Delta Online Publishers Forum (DOPF), on Wednesday, November 22, 2023, held its annual lecture/convention in Asaba, Delta State. The topic of discourse for the lecture was: “Fiscal Policy and Taxation: Balancing Revenue Generation and Economic Growth.”

Following the successful conduct of the 2023 convention and the facts presented by the Guest Speaker and the three discussants, the forum resolved as follows:

1. That taxes should be paid by all taxable members of the society and companies. Taxes are essential for maintaining public infrastructure, funding social welfare programmes, ensuring national security, and managing the overall functioning of the country.

Without taxes or negligence on the part of citizens, the government cannot function effectively.

2. That taxpayer; individuals and corporate bodies should not be overtaxed or overburdened, which could lead to reduced investment, decreased consumer spending, discouraged entrepreneurship, and an increase in tax evasion amongst others. By this, taxes should be levied in a way that payers can pay. An increase in taxation on the other, hand may hamper economic growth.
3. That tax payment and collection method should be simplified, and people should be educated on the essence of tax payment and how tax evasion could affect the economic development of societies
4. That multinational companies are the greatest defaulters. They take advantage of Nigeria’s weak institutions and escape without paying taxes to tax collection authorities.
5. That for every Deltan to be effectively taxed according to their capacity, there is a need for a data bank of all informal sectors who are the most important people in the society. This is so because since civil servants pay their taxes from source, a data bank of all informal sector will be useful for the tax collection agencies.
6. That government must provide justification for taxes collected from individuals and corporate bodies by judiciously deploying the funds to maintaining public facilities, and building public institutions that will have a positive effect on the lives of the citizens.
7.  That individuals will comply with tax payment if the process is simplified, digital platforms are used, user-friendly interfaces are provided, and taxpayer education
8.  That taxpayers will comply without much pressure if incentives are provided to taxpayers.
9.  That where taxpayers appear unwilling to pay, enforcement should be strengthened with effective communication
10.  That for Delta state to increase her IGR, there should be economic diversification, encouraging investment, there should be enhanced transparency and accountability, improved governance and service delivery, and promotion of cost-cutting measures
11.  That corruption among public officers and tax collection agencies, has been a major challenge for Nigeria as it continuously cripples efforts of the government to meet the needs of citizens. When corruption indices are high, citizens tend to be less willing to pay taxes, fearing that their taxes will be misused or misappropriated.
12.  That public financial management should be strengthened to enhance the efficiency and equity in public spending, a development which will lead to building public trust and improve compliance and revenue collection
13.  That increase in government spending may lead to increased economic growth and fiscal policy, geared towards encouraging people and businesses to feel economic activities and alleviate their financial discomfort, will pick up considerably. This can go a long way to restore confidence in the government,
14.  Expanding the tax net to include more and more diverse payers in the taxation system would help generate more revenue which must be utilized productively through transparent and accountable processes as against increasing the current tax rate. The government should formulate policies to bring the informal sector and agriculture into the tax.
15.   For Delta State to enhance a better fiscal policy, the state government should leverage on information and communication technologies to improve revenue generation. Information technology should be used to bring more economic agents within the tax system.

Joe Ogbodu                                                                                Augustine Oyibode

Chairman,                                                                                               Secretary

Communique Drafting Committee                                         Communique Drafting Committee