Rivers

Stakeholders Urge RSG To Revisit Double Taxation

Published

2 years ago

November 24, 2023

The Tax Justice and Governance Platform in collaboration with Foundation for Partnership Initiatives in the Niger Delta (PIND) has emphasised the need for Rivers State Government to regularise its method of tax collection.
State Coordinator of Tax Justice and Governance Platform, Kelechi Amaechi, who made the call during a one-day workshop organised by the platform in collaboration with PIND, emphasised the need to address the issue of multiple taxation affecting businesses in the state.
Speaking under the theme, “Stakeholders’ Tax Policy Dialogue on Strengthening Tax Administration in Rivers State”, Amaechi urged government to monitor and withdraw the numerous people out there collecting multiple levies from business operators, while advocating for digitalized system of tax and levies collection in the state.
According to him, a thorough research was carried out two years back on multiple taxation and illegal levies in three Niger Delta states, hence the need to sensitize the public business owners and to call on the government to ensure a smooth system of taxation.
“Having done a research two years back and in addition to the research PIND Foundation did this 2023 on multiple taxation and illegal levies in three Niger Delta states which are Rivers, Abia and Delta, we came up with some findings: the need for more engagement with citizens, Civil Societies, tax professionals, like government.
“It was on that basis after we had a validation exercise of the research we did, that we decided to have a tax policy to talk about the challenges, not just the challenges to begin to proffer solutions on how we can reduce multiple taxation in Rivers”, he said.
Also speaking, the Advocacy Manager, PIND Foundation, Chuks Ofulue, called on the government to create more awareness on its tax policy in the state.
“It is a Niger Delta wide problem, but this round table is particular for Rivers State.
“It has just begun with the roundtable, where they are proffering solution on the way to go and handle multiple taxation. You cannot totally strike it off, but it can be limited”, he said
Also, the State Chairman of Organsied Private Sector, Geoffrey Agorom, urged the State Government to regularise the amount of levies, taxes being paid, and sanitise the business environment.
He further said double taxation has driven away lots of investors from the state, and will in turn affect the revenue of the state.
“People will be coming for investment in Rivers State but all these touts will stop them on the way. I have had an occasion where expatriates that was coming, they impounded their vehicle and they had to turn back from there.
“Demand notice is flying from different places, but the good news is, this present government has put a stop to such activities, particularly from Local Government.
Adding her voice on behalf of business owners in the state, the State Coordinator of National Association of Nigerian Traders, Gloria Akintoye, lamented that so many businesses have collapsed or left the State as a result of multiple tax, demand notice and levies collected by thugs, communities.
She, however, appealed to Civil Society Organisations to carry out more advocacy in order to help improve the business environment.

By: Iragunima Benice

Rivers

NGO Builds Awareness On Digital Violence Against Women, Girls

Published

18 hours ago

January 2, 2026

The Tide

As part of activities marking 16 Days of Activism, A Non-Governmental Organizatio (NGO), OLEGH, has organised a one-day awareness creation workshop on digital violence against women and girls, for civil society and media groups in Rivers State.

OLEGH’s Executive Director, Henry Eferebo, said the programme was intended to draw attention to the theme for the 2025 16 Days of Activism tagged, “Unite To End Digital Violence against all Women and Girls.”

Eferebo said the event is an annual global campaign that focuses on violence against women, affords persons and groups all over the world the opportunity to embark on activities aimed at eliminating all forms of women and gender abuse.

“As individuals, we don’t pay attention to the things we see on the social media. We pay less attention to the abuse on the internet. Today, you can abuse a woman or a man physically, emotionally and otherwise, and go scot-free”, he noted.

According to him, women and girls have suffered the most from online violence and cyber-bullying, particularly on platforms such as TikTok, making them ready victims online and offline.

“So, in line with the United Nations principle on 16 Days of Activism and this year’s theme, there is a need for OLEGH Center to create awareness on issues resulting from the online abuse of women and girls.

“We decided to bring in a resource person who will tell us how to avoid being abused online”, he said.

He urged participants at the event to put hands together, rise up and speak against digital violence online.

The NGO’s arrow head, also explained that OLEGH was working towards creating an online help-desk for victims of online abuse and digital violence.

He urged participants to improve their security awareness while online, and adopt security protocols that would protect them in the digital space.

The Resource Person, Jacob Iniodu, in a paper titled, “Understanding Digital Abuse within the 16 Days of Activism”, listed forms of online violence to include, cyber-bullying, dozing, cyber-stalking, and invasion of privacy.

By: King Onunwor

Rivers

Foundation Distribute Bags N5m Worth Christmas Gifts In Bundu Ama

Published

18 hours ago

January 2, 2026

The Tide

Armslent Foundation, a Non-Governmental Organisations (NGO), in Rivers State, has distributed Christmas gifts worth over N5million to aged mothers, orphans and less privileged persons in Belema, Bundu Ama (Community) in Port Harcourt Local Government Area (PHALGA).

The Foundation also gave cash gifts of N150,000 to the Community.

Presenting the gift items, comprising 5 bags of rice,10 Cartons of indomie noodles,10 Gallons of groundnut oil, 3 bags of salt and cartons of maggie cubes, to Chairman of the Community, David Oba, and the community leaders, the founder of Armslent Foundation, Comrade Richard Boma Briggs, said the foundation decided to show love and togetherness to the community by providing the gifts.

He noted that the provision was part of its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) to the community aimed at alleviating poverty and create a sense of belonging as Christian faithfuls celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ.

Briggs described Bundu Ama as one of its pillars in partnership, stressing that the foundation was inspired by the spirit of love to impact and rejoice with the residents of the community.

“The foundation was moved by the spirit of Christmas to give these gifts and rejoice with the people of community”, Briggs said.

Accompanied by the Managing Director of the Foundation, Richard Osigbo, and other top Executive Members, Briggs called on the leaders of the community to always pray for the foundation, promising that in 2026, it would embark on a tangible project at UPE Modern Primary School Waterfront, Bundu Ama.

Receiving the items, Chairman of Bundu Ama, David Oba, thanked the foundation for empowering the less privileged persons, assisting physically challenged persons, and aged mothers in the past.

“The foundation had done a lot for this community and today we are witnessing these gift items for the Christmas celebration”,he emphasised.

He called on the leaders of the community, women group, youths and residents to emulate the humanitarian gestures of the foundation and pleaded that they also borrow a leaf from the gesture,in order to also give to society whenever they can.

Earlier the leaders of Belema Bundu Ama, led by Oba, former Chairman, Benneth Kalio, and Secretary, Promise Mangibo, presented an Award of Excellence to the Founder of the Foundation for his Humanitarian and selfless service to the community.

Highlight of the event was the offering of a special prayer to the management of the foundation by aged mothers, youths and leadership of the community.

By: Chinedu Wosu

Rivers

Youths Condemn Killings In Andoni

Published

18 hours ago

January 2, 2026

The Tide

The Obolo Youth Coalition, Rivers State Chapter, has condemned the recent spate of killings in Andoni Local Government Area, describing the renewed insecurity as alarming and constituting a threat to peace and stability in the area.

In a statement signed by its Chairman, Comr. Jonathan J. Eyina, the group expressed deep concern over what it described as brutal and senseless acts of violence, while extending condolences to the families of the victims.

The coalition said the resurgence of insecurity in Andoni has continued to undermine communal harmony and called for urgent steps to halt the trend before it escalates further.

It appealed to youths in the area to shun violence and embrace peace, stressing the need for tolerance, mutual respect and collective responsibility in safeguarding the community.

According to the group, restoring peace in Andoni requires a coordinated approach involving government, security agencies, community leaders and residents to identify and address the root causes of insecurity.

It noted that increased security presence, improved intelligence gathering, and sustained community engagement are critical to preventing further violence, adding that underlying social and economic challenges must also be addressed.

The coalition called on the Andoni Local Government Chairman, Hon. Lucky Promise-Otua, the Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Joseph Fubara, and the Commissioner of Police, CP Olugbenga Adepoju Adewole, to take decisive actions to restore security.

It further demanded that those responsible for the killings be apprehended and prosecuted to serve as a deterrent to others.

By: King Onunwor