The Foundation for Partnership Initiatives in the Niger Delta (PIND), in collaboration with the Tax Justice and Governance Platform, successfully concluded a convening aimed at addressing the negative impact of multiple taxation and illegal levies on small businesses in the Niger Delta. Held on October 24, 2024, the event brought together key stakeholders, including business membership organizations (BMOs), civil society organizations (CSOs), tax experts, and policymakers, to discuss strategies for tax reforms that would foster a more business-friendly environment in the region.
During the event, participants reviewed findings from PIND’s 2022 assessment, which highlighted that small businesses in Abia, Delta, and Rivers States are disproportionately burdened by taxes from all levels of government, compounded by illegal levies. This convening provided a platform to develop actionable solutions, including harmonizing tax administration processes and digitizing tax collection to improve transparency and reduce exploitation.
Speaking on behalf of Tunji Idowu, Executive Director of PIND, Chuks Ofulue, PIND’s Advocacy Manager, stated, “The discussions here today reaffirm the urgent need for reforms in the tax system to protect small businesses in the Niger Delta. We are committed to working with our partners to ensure that these reforms are implemented so that small businesses can thrive and contribute to the region’s economic growth.”
A key outcome of the event was the formation of a 15-member technical working group composed of BMOs, CSOs, and tax experts. This group is tasked with spearheading advocacy efforts for the harmonization and digitalization of taxes in the Niger Delta. Additionally, attendees agreed to develop a tax matrix that will serve as a tool to influence policymakers and legislators to reduce the tax burden on small businesses.
The event also featured the production of a documentary that chronicles the effects of multiple taxation and illegal levies on businesses in the Niger Delta. This documentary will be distributed to key stakeholders to support ongoing advocacy efforts.
In collaboration with the Tax Justice and Governance Platform and funded by OXFAM under the USAID SCALE project, PIND and its partners aim to continue leveraging networks to track and influence tax reforms at the federal, state, and local levels, ensuring the sustainability of these advocacy efforts.
