The Rivers State Internal Revenue Service (RIRS) has intensified efforts to increase the State’s Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) by strengthening collaboration with Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) in line with the provisions of the new tax law.
This was disclosed on Monday, January 20, 2026, when the Executive Chairman of RIRS, Sir Israel Egbunefu, led directors and senior management staff of the Service to a high-level engagement with Permanent Secretaries, Directors, and representatives of key MDAs at the RIRS Headquarters in Port Harcourt.
In his Remark, Sir Egbunefu emphasized that effective revenue mobilisation under the new tax regime requires collective responsibility and seamless cooperation among government institutions. He noted that RIRS remains fully committed to strengthening the State’s IGR framework but stressed that the cooperation of all MDAs is critical to achieving the desired results.
According to him, every stakeholder must play an active role in ensuring that all revenues due to the State are properly assessed, collected, and promptly remitted in accordance with the law. He reiterated that the new tax law enforces zero tolerance for cash collections, warning that violations would attract sanctions.
Sir Egbunefu further explained that the initiative is in line with the state’s ongoing revenue digitization drive, which is anchored on the deployment of the International Public Sector Accounting Standards (IPSAS) Economic and Revenue Codes. He said the system is designed to ensure accurate revenue tracking, effective monitoring, and performance-based evaluation of Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs).
He reiterated that the new tax law enforces zero tolerance for cash collections or the use of Ministry Imprest Accounts for revenue purposes, stressing that any defaulter would be prosecuted in accordance with the law.
Accordingly, he stated that only payments made through approved PayDirect platforms would be recognised as valid government revenue, adding that Point-of-Sale (POS) terminals have been deployed at strategic locations to improve accessibility, efficiency, and compliance.
The engagement, he noted, represents another decisive step by the Rivers State Internal Revenue Service (RIRS) to institutionalise transparency, strengthen inter-agency collaboration, and position Rivers State on a sustainable path of revenue growth under the new tax regime.
The RIRS Chairman explained that the renewed collaboration is targeted at expanding the tax base, improving revenue yield, and eliminating leakages across the revenue value chain. He stressed that all revenues must be remitted strictly through designated government bank accounts, a move aimed at curbing the activities of unauthorized intermediaries, strengthening oversight, and improving the ease of doing business in Rivers State.
Participants at the meeting, drawn from various MDAs, offered practical insights and recommendations aimed at improving efficiency, transparency, and accountability in revenue generation and remittance processes.
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