Gov. Sheriff Oborevwori has advocated the need for fair and transparent tax reforms to ease economic hardship in the country.

Mr Oborevwori made the call during the 2025 Press Week, organised by the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Delta Council, on Thursday, in Asaba.

He said that responsible media engagement was needed as Nigeria navigates key economic transitions.

He was represented at the event by the commissioner for works (rural roads) and public information, Charles Aniagwu.

The theme of the celebration was “Tax Regimes and Exchange Rate Unification: Economic Implications and the Media’s Strategic Role.”

Mr Oborevwori described taxation as the backbone of government revenue and a critical tool for national development.

“Without effective tax regimes, no government can sustainably provide infrastructure, healthcare, education, and security,” he said.

He, however, said that taxation “must be fair, transparent, and growth-oriented”.

He warned that complex and multiple tax structures discourage investment, while weak enforcement undermines development.

He affirmed his administration’s commitment to broadening the tax base, reducing leakages, and ensuring that every naira collected was judiciously invested in the welfare of the citizens.

The governor described the unification of the exchange rates in the country as “a bold step aimed at stabilising the currency, attracting foreign investment, and eliminating distortions in the foreign exchange market”.

He acknowledged short-term challenges, including inflationary pressures, associated with the policy, but insisted that the long-term gains remained substantial.

“These reforms will bring greater investor confidence, a level playing field for businesses, and enhanced competitiveness for Nigerian goods and services.

“For states like Delta, with vibrant oil, gas, and agricultural sectors, stable exchange rates are critical to unlocking export potentials and driving economic diversification,” Mr Oborevwori said.

He said that ongoing reforms, particularly tax restructuring and exchange rate unification, were not abstract policies but realities that influence commodity prices, wages, and the survival of small businesses.

He said that government was working to cushion their impact through targeted social interventions, infrastructure investment, and support for local industries.

The governor said that the crucial role of the media remains central to shaping public understanding of economic reforms.

According to him, journalists are the bridge between policy and the people.

He, therefore, urged them to educate the public, monitor government’s policies, highlight stories of resilience, and combat misinformation.

Mr Oborevwori cautioned that fake, misleading, or sensational news could inflame tension, destabilise communities, and undermine confidence in national institutions.

He urged journalists to uphold accuracy, objectivity and professionalism, adding that “great influence comes with solemn responsibility”.

He encouraged the NUJ and media practitioners to approach their duties with courage, fairness, and patriotism.

He affirmed the state government’s readiness to partner with the media by providing access to information and promoting transparency in governance.

The keynote speaker and senator representing Delta South, Joel-Onowakpo Thomas, said that tax reforms and exchange rate unification were central pillars of a broader agenda of President Bola Tinubu’s administration to stabilise and grow the country’s economy.

Mr Thomas, represented by Uzuazo Ikelegbe, said that “these reforms are not abstract ideas, they are strategic actions that rebuild an economy that works for all”.

Earlier in a remark, the state chairman of NUJ, Churchill Oyowe, said the theme of the event was “deliberately chosen to provoke thought, inspire policy conversations and reaffirm the media role, as both the watchdog and bridge between government and the governed.

“The Nigerian journalists must not only report policies but interpret them in ways that empower citizens to make informed decisions,” Mr Oyowe said.

He lauded the governor for his administration’s unwavering support for press freedom, infrastructure development and inclusive governance under the M.O.R.E. Agenda.

“We are witnesses to your government’s conscious investment in people-oriented projects across Delta in education, healthcare, infrastructure and youth development,” he said.

 (NAN)