The Rivers State Internal Revenue Service (RIRS) has intensified efforts to block revenue leakages and expand the state’s tax net. This is even as it has assured residents that no individual’s bank account will be randomly debited directly by the agency in the name of tax collection.
Chairman of RIRS, Sir Israel Onwuanaku Egbunefu, made this known during a live radio tax sensitization programme on monitored in Port Harcourt, where he addressed public concerns and clarified misconceptions surrounding tax administration in the state.
Egbunefu explained that the agency’s renewed public engagement was necessary to reassure residents and educate taxpayers about the reforms currently being implemented within the system.
“We are here to inform the public and dispel misconceptions. Nobody’s money will be taken from their bank account by RIRS in the name of taxes,” he said.
The RIRS chairman emphasized that the Service is prioritizing the registration of individuals and businesses into the tax system in order to clearly identify those who are liable to pay taxes and those who are not.
According to him, while many residents already comply with tax obligations, the agency is focusing on bringing into the tax net individuals and organizations who ought to be paying more but are currently not captured in the system.
“Rivers people do pay taxes, but our target is those who ought to pay more but are not even in our net. We are putting structures in place to track those who should be paying taxes but are not,” he stated.
Egbunefu further revealed that all tax agents previously engaged by the Service officially ceased operations on December 31, 2025, stressing that no external agent is currently authorized to collect taxes or issue demand notices on behalf of the agency.
“All previously engaged agents’ appointments ended on 31st December 2025. No agent has been empowered to deliver demand notices, receive money, or issue receipts on our behalf. We now serve demand notices directly,” he said.
He warned residents to be wary of individuals impersonating tax officials, noting that the agency’s Compliance and Enforcement Team has already apprehended some suspects involved in such illegal activities.
“We are after those impersonating us. Our Compliance and Enforcement Team recently made an arrest and the law will take its course,” he added.
The RIRS boss also disclosed that the Service is working towards a more transparent tax payment system by encouraging electronic payments and reducing the use of cash in tax transactions.
“Going forward, we want to deploy methods that will encourage electronic payment and reduce cash collections,” he said.
He encouraged taxpayers to contact the Service through its official telephone lines: 09042695681, 08154757369, 09034705252, 07065337954 or visit its headquarters located at Plot GS/1, Amadi-Ama Layout, Port Harcourt for clarification and assistance on tax matters.
Egbunefu further stressed that tax compliance remains critical to the development of the state, noting that several infrastructure and development projects currently being executed by the State government across local government areas are funded through taxpayers’ contributions.
“The government of Rivers State is constructing and commissioning projects across the local government areas as a result of the people’s tax. Let us support government efforts by paying our taxes,” he urged.
Also speaking, the Director of Compliance and Enforcement at RIRS, Rosemary Ibitamuno Orubo, described taxation as a mandatory civic responsibility necessary for sustaining economic growth.
“Taxation is a compulsory obligatory remittance to the government. Everyone should pay; the chairman pays, I pay. Everyone should pay for the viability of the economy,” she said.
The sensitization programme forms part of RIRS’ broader campaign to deepen public awareness, strengthen tax compliance, and boost internally generated revenue across Rivers State.
