Ondo State Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, has finalised plans to deploy a digital payment platform to streamline the collection of taxes and other government-related payments.
The initiative follows a strategic partnership between the state government through the Ondo State Internal Revenue Service (ODIRS) and BBA Consult Ltd., a consulting firm specializing in digital financial solutions.
Speaking after a demonstration meeting with BBA Consult at the Governor’s Office in Akure, Governor Aiyedatiwa reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to leveraging technology to improve revenue collection.
He emphasised that the new platform would not only enhance the ease of tax payments for individuals and businesses but also boost the state’s overall revenue generation.
“This digital payment system will help curb leakages, improve compliance, and create a more transparent and accountable tax structure,” the governor stated.
“With increased revenue, we will have the financial capacity to invest in critical infrastructure such as roads, healthcare, schools, and other essential public services.”
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Governor Aiyedatiwa also urged residents and businesses to embrace the new platform, assuring them of its security, ease of use, and long-term benefits for Ondo State’s economic growth.
Providing further insights into the platform’s functionality, the Director of BBA Consult Ltd., Maryam Abisola, explained that every taxpayer in the state would be assigned a unique taxpayer ID linked to their personal profile, including key details such as phone number, address, and age.
She assured residents that all records would remain confidential and accessible only to the individual taxpayer.
She described the platform as an all-in-one system designed to eliminate bottlenecks associated with manual payments, ensuring seamless transactions across various sectors.
Beyond tax payments, it will facilitate financial transactions related to commerce and industry, land and housing, billboard advertising, hospital management, natural resources, and education fees.
During a live demonstration, the consultant showcased how the governor, as the first registered taxpayer, could effortlessly generate and pay his annual tax bill.
The system offers multiple payment options, including card payments, bank transfers, USSD codes, and in-person transactions at designated banks.
Upon completion of a transaction, taxpayers can download receipts with unique verification codes, which tax officials can authenticate through the platform.
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The demonstration event was attended by top government officials, including the Secretary to the State Government, Taye Fasoranti; Commissioner for Finance, Omowumi Isaac; Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Olukayode Ajulo, and the Chairman of the Internal Revenue Service, Bayo Rojugbokan.
