Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa of Ondo state, on Wednesday, reiterated the state’s commitment to regional integration to drive the development of the South-West region.

Mr Aiyedatiwa said that his government would strive towards achieving its revenue targets while fostering economic growth and prosperity for all indigenes of the South-West region living in the state.

The governor stated this at the opening of the South-West regional training on tax audit, investigation, cmpliance and enforcement in Akure.

He said that the revenue base of the state must be strengthened through the collection of taxes in order for the government to fulfil its responsibilities.

The governor said that the training was a testament to his administration’s commitment towards enhancing revenue generation through efficient tax administration.

According to him, the training is being held at a pivotal time when the global economic landscape is evolving rapidly.

“As states, we must adapt and strengthen our tax audit, investigation, compliance, and enforcement capabilities to maintain fiscal stability and sustain development initiatives,” he said.

Mr Aiyedatiwa explained that the state had achieved what seemed impossible in its internally generated revenue in spite of all challenges.

“With sheer determination and focus, we set a record and created a story — a story that, for years to come, would be retold by the coming generations.

“It is a story that will portray us as courageous, fore-sighted and purposeful-driven leaders,” he said.

The governor reaffirmed his administration’s unwavering commitment to supporting initiatives that would promote effective tax governance.

He added that the state would strive towards achieving its revenue targets while fostering economic growth and prosperity for all residents.

Also speaking, the chairman of the Ondo State Internal Revenue Service (ODIRS), Tolu Adegbie, said that the training was to establish a shared commitment to strengthening tax audit, investigation, compliance, and enforcement practices, ensuring that revenue systems were robust, efficient, and equitable.

Mr Adegbie, who appreciated the unwavering support and vision of the state governor in advancing the state’s fiscal agenda, said that his presence underscored the importance of collaborative efforts in driving sustainable development through effective tax governance.

He explained that the training was designed to foster knowledge exchange, promote best practices, and equip tax administrators with the skills needed to navigate the complexities of modern tax compliance.

In his remarks, the executive secretary of the Joint Tax Board (JTB), Olusegun Adesokan, reiterated the JTB’s mandate to enforce tax compliance in the country.

Mr Adesokan praised the efforts of JTB in positively shaping the tax landscape across the country.

He explained that the training was aimed at enhancing participants’ tax knowledge and equipping them with skills for effective revenue generation.

Mr Adesokan encouraged the participants to collaborate and engage with one another during the sessions to maximise their learning experience.

(NAN)