Edo Govt Trains Revenue Officers On Strategic Tax Reforms, Sustainable Revenue Generation
Reaffirming its commitment to building a transparent, technology-driven, and sustainable revenue system that supports economic growth and efficient service delivery, the Edo State Government has organized a two-day capacity-building workshop for key staff of revenue-generating Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) on Strategic Revenue Generation and the Implementation of New Tax Reforms in the State.
The training, held through the state’s training arm, the John Odigie-Oyegun Public Service Academy (JOOPSA) — was designed to familiarize stakeholders with the state’s new tax reform agenda.
Facilitating the session, Mr. Efe E. Iserhienrhien, a retired Permanent Secretary from the Edo State Ministry of Budget, explained that the new tax reform seeks to correct irregularities in the existing system, simplify tax administration, and strengthen revenue-generation mechanisms in line with global best practices.
Highlighting key strategies for improved performance, Mr. Iserhienrhien underscored the need to strengthen tax enforcement and compliance, build audit capacity, and apply the Pareto Principle — which focuses on identifying and prioritizing high-value taxpayers who contribute the majority of state revenue.
He also advocated the adoption of technology-driven solutions, such as e-filing systems that allow real-time reporting and compliance tracking. According to him, while sanctions should apply to defaulters, offering incentives to compliant taxpayers would encourage fairness and voluntary participation.
The facilitator further recommended collaboration with other states and countries for tax information exchange to curb evasion, diversification of Edo State’s revenue base into non-tax sectors such as solid minerals, agriculture, tourism, digital economy, and consumption-based levies. He also emphasized the importance of talent recruitment and innovation within the revenue system to sustain growth and accountability.
Earlier in her remarks, the Director-General of JOOPSA, Dr. Gina Otamere, represented by the Communication Officer, Hon. Osamwonyi Osagiede, urged participants to apply the knowledge gained to enhance productivity within their respective MDAs. She noted that adopting new strategies and reforms would strengthen Edo State’s fiscal performance and ensure that every revenue initiative contributes meaningfully to the state’s overall economic growth and development.
As part of the workshop, participants received practical guidance on tax computation under the new reform, including detailed explanations of relevant legal provisions, recent policy updates, and their implications for both employees and employers.
