Rivers State has been urged to drastically reduce its dependence on monthly federal allocations by prioritizing internally generated revenue (IGR) and strengthening local economic structures.
Sole Administrator of the state, Ibok Ete Ibas, gave the charge in Port Harcourt at the weekend while inaugurating newly constituted boards of key state agencies. He emphasized that the state’s financial sustainability depends on urgent reforms, innovation, and accountability.
Driving Revenue Independence
Ibas tasked the Rivers State Internal Revenue Service Board (RIRSB) with accelerating IGR efforts through system automation, plugging revenue leakages, and improving transparency in tax administration.
“The work you are about to embark on is not just about collecting taxes. It is about financial sustainability, trust, and accountability,” he said.
Expanding SME Support
He also mandated the Rivers Microfinance Agency (RIMA), now led by technocrat Onene Osila Oshoko, to intensify funding for small and medium enterprises (SMEs). By improving access to credit for micro and small businesses, the agency is expected to drive grassroots entrepreneurship, create jobs, and stimulate wealth creation across the state.
Strengthening Education and Healthcare
On education, Ibas called for urgent measures to enforce discipline, reduce overcrowding in classrooms, improve infrastructure, and reverse poor academic performance indices. He further recommended the establishment of robust data systems to track student enrollment, teacher deployment, and school infrastructure.
For healthcare, the administrator described the sector as both a moral responsibility and strategic priority. He pledged affordable and free healthcare for vulnerable populations, including pregnant women, children, the elderly, and people with chronic conditions, through the Contributory Health Protection Programme and the Rivers State University Teaching Hospital.
Waste Management and Public Safety
Turning to sanitation, Ibas warned that waste management is a matter of public safety, not aesthetics. He challenged the Rivers State Waste Management Agency (RIWAMA) to lead a disciplined and innovative approach to cleaning the state.
“The task before this board is urgent and enormous. You must lead the charge to rid our cities and communities of filth. This is not just about clearing waste, it is about instituting a system of efficiency, sustainability, and discipline,” he stressed.
The administrator disclosed that modern waste collection equipment has been procured, landfill access roads are under construction, and new systems will soon improve operational efficiency. He also encouraged the board to explore waste-to-energy and recycling initiatives, turning refuse into industrial raw materials and power.
A Call for Integrity and Innovation
The boards inaugurated include:
-
Rivers State Universal Basic Education Board (RSUBEB)
-
Rivers State Senior Secondary Schools Board
-
Rivers State Internal Revenue Service Board
-
Rivers State Microfinance Agency
-
Rivers State Contributory Health Protection Programme Board
-
Rivers State University Teaching Hospital Board
-
Rivers State Waste Management Agency (RIWAMA)
Ibas urged the appointees to demonstrate integrity, urgency, and professionalism in their duties, adding that the boards must embrace innovation and accountability to meet the expectations of the people.
