Rivers State Avoids Borrowing Thanks to Taxpayer Contributions, Says RIRS Chairman

The Rivers State Internal Revenue Service has emphasized that the state government is executing critical public projects without resorting to external loans, relying instead on improved revenue generation and taxpayer compliance. Israel Egbunefu, the executive chairman of the agency, highlighted this fiscal approach during a recent interview discussing his tenure and ongoing reforms within the state tax administration.

According to Egbunefu, the agency has prioritized the expansion of the tax net to incorporate unregistered corporate entities and individuals who previously evaded their civic obligations. By leveraging digital tools and automated processes, the internal revenue service aims to minimize financial leakages and build a sustainable framework for long-term revenue growth across the region. Officials noted that public cooperation remains vital as the administration continues infrastructure development across various local government areas.

Addressing enforcement challenges, the RIRS chairman pointed out that the agency is currently navigating the legal processes required to fully domesticate relevant tax laws. Until these legislative updates are completed, the service relies primarily on public enlightenment, registration profiling, and voluntary compliance rather than immediate legal prosecution. Officials are also working to address the persistent issue of fake agents and touts who impersonate legitimate staff and issue fraudulent demand notices to unsuspecting residents.

Egbunefu urged taxpayers to verify demand notices directly with official agency channels and cautioned against confronting impostors directly. He expressed confidence in the ongoing institutional reforms, noting that proper training and strategic automation will insulate the state revenue profile from future downturns. The administration maintains that transparent public communication and visible infrastructure delivery will continue to encourage voluntary tax compliance among residents.

Source reporting: BusinessDay — 2026-11-06 04:09:16