News

We Won’t Over-Burden Our People With Taxes, Levies, Fubara Tells JTB

Published

1 year ago

December 13, 2024

Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has said that his administration will not over-burden the people, residents and businesses with excess taxes and levies.
Governor Fubara made the assertion when he declared open the 156th Joint Tax Board Meeting with the theme: “Opportunities and Strategies For Improved Taxation of High Net-Worth Individuals In Nigeria”, in Port Harcourt, last Wednesday.
The Governor also said that the most tenable solution that will strengthen the capacity of State Governments to continue to deliver public services and development to their citizens will be to maximize tax revenue collection at all levels and across sectors.
If such is done, Governor Fubara asserted that the burden from a struggling national economy as experienced in Nigeria, which is buffeted by high inflation, will be minimized on State Governments.
The Governor bemoaned the increasing lack of adequate resources available to State Governments to deliver their development commitments to the citizens, adding: “Tax is a tool for the government to deploy to advance several positive objectives. First, it enables the government to collect public revenue to provide public services and ensure the continuous functioning of the public sector.
“Second, it can also be used to make society more equitable by redistributing resources to benefit the most vulnerable members. Consequently, the tax system is a matter of great interest to all Nigerians because, without adequate revenues, it will be difficult for the government to meet its obligations to provide public services and advance the collective security and prosperity of citizens”.
Governor Fubara explained the modest success achieved so far by his administration in effective collection and utilisation of revenue it has continued to collect from tax paying public.
He said: “In Rivers State, our approach is not to impose more taxes on our people but to broaden our tax base without increasing the rates, which has enabled us to generate more internal revenues as evident in the increasing collection figures on a month-by-month basis.
“Apart from keeping us above water, we are responsibly using the much-improved tax collections to fund critical infrastructure, including roads, schools, security, and healthcare across the State.”
Governor Fubara listed the Trans-Kalabari Road, Elele-Egbeda-Omuku dual carriageway, Zonal Hospitals at Degema, Bori, Ahoada, and Omoku towns as areas the revenue has been deployed.
The Governor said that the new Rumuigbo General Hospital, and the new Psychiatric Hospital also at Rumuigbo, are among the numerous projects that are fully funded with internally generated tax funds.
He pointed to the resolve of his administration to cooperate with the Joint Tax Board to streamline its tax system, broaden the tax base and strengthen the State’s Internal Revenue Service in order to achieve greater efficiency and effectiveness in collecting legitimate taxes and levies without over-burdening the people.
Governor Fubara stated that: “The purpose of a tax system is not to stifle society but rather to enable it to develop and prosper by putting those who create wealth in the best conditions where they can be encouraged to continue to produce and create more wealth.
“Furthermore, a responsible tax system must impose nothing more than a fair amount that serves the public interest and is attractive to businesses and investors.”
Governor Fubara stated that the Joint Tax Board has been at the forefront of effective tax administration in Nigeria and their input and efforts at promoting tax harmonization has been remarkable.
He said as an institution, the Board should continue to address itself to efforts at repealing obsolete policies, promotion of cooperation among tax authorities across the country, and provision of training, peer review, and best practices for State Revenue Agencies.
Governor Fubara, therefore, challenged them to use the occasion to focus on exploring opportunities and strategies that will improve the taxation of high net-worth individuals in Nigeria, and also urged them to come up with policy measures that will encourage the super-rich to pay fair taxes voluntarily while channelling their excess resources into productive economic building investments.
He said, “This is the way to build a stronger, broader tax revenue-based economy for our country; one that encourages the production of more wealth, shared economic growth, opportunities, and prosperity for everyone.”
In his welcome address, Executive Chairman, Rivers State Internal Revenue Service, Dr Chibeoso Aholu, said the State is delighted to host, for the first time, the Joint Tax Board Meeting, and thanked Governor Fubara for his support towards its success, while expressing the hope that the meeting will streamline policy suggestions and strategies to help governments at all levels to improve their revenues.

News

Cleric Predicts Breakthrough, Warns of Political and Security Challenges in 2026

Published

1 day ago

January 12, 2026

The Tide

The Founder and Senior Pastor of Liberty Hour Ministry, Port Harcourt, Apostle Chikadibia John Wodo, has expressed optimism that 2026 will usher in uncommon breakthroughs and good fortune for Nigeria, particularly in the areas of political, economic, and spiritual development, with Rivers State playing a key role.

Apostle Wodo made this declaration in his special New Year message, where he stated that individuals and forces standing as obstacles to the manifestation of God’s will in the new year would face bitter consequences. He cautioned that corrupt political leaders risk backlash from the very people they govern if they fail to change their ways.

The cleric warned against the escalation of political tension in Rivers State and called on residents and religious leaders to intensify prayers for lasting peace. He also urged Governor Siminalayi Fubara to remain resolute in leadership, reminding him to uphold his vows to God by continually seeking divine guidance in decision-making and governance amid evolving challenges.

Assessing the broader national situation, Apostle Wodo called on Nigerian leaders to repent and govern with a heightened sense of responsibility, noting that the cries and supplications of the masses have drawn divine attention. He further warned of alleged plots to disrupt a smooth democratic transition in 2027 and appealed for prayers to avert such an agenda.

According to him, Nigerians are yearning for genuine socio-economic transformation and freedom from political oppression. He challenged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to redeem its credibility by ensuring free, fair, and credible elections devoid of undue political interference.

The cleric also predicted that insecurity could worsen in the coming year and warned of the possible emergence of a strange ailment, stressing that Nigeria’s political challenges can only be resolved through equity, fairness, and justice, especially in the treatment of minorities, the vulnerable, and the disadvantaged.

Apostle Wodo further claimed that some clerics and General Overseers have compromised their faith and incurred divine displeasure, calling for sincere repentance to restore their relationship with God. He also advised early preparedness to mitigate natural disasters such as fire outbreaks and flooding, particularly in rural communities.

He concluded by urging Nigerians to remain prayerful, vigilant, and united as the nation navigates the opportunities and challenges of 2026.

News

Ado Royal Family Disowns Alleged Installation of Amanyanabo of Okrika

Published

1 day ago

January 12, 2026

The Tide

The Ado Royal Family of Okrika has firmly disassociated itself from the alleged self-enthronement of Hon. Godknows Tam George as the Amanyanabo of Okrika and Clan Head, describing the action as unlawful, illegitimate, and a threat to the peace of the ancient kingdom.

The family, which described itself as the sole legitimate custodian of the history, traditions, and stool of the Amanyanabo of Okrika, stated that it has not installed any king and has not commenced the formal process for such installation.

This position was contained in a statement jointly signed by Prof. Sotonye Fyneface-Ogan (Ogan Ado Royal House), Alabo Engr. Henry Semenitari Abam (Abam Ado Royal House), and Alabo Prince Oriyeorikabo Fibika (Fibika Ado Royal House). The statement was presented to journalists on Friday at the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Press Centre, Moscow Road, Port Harcourt.

According to the statement, the purported action by Hon. Tam George amounts to “a blatant assault on the collective integrity of the Okrika people” and constitutes “a criminal act of impersonation with the potential to destabilize the peace and socio-political fabric of our ancient kingdom.”

The family stressed that Hon. Tam George was never presented as a candidate by the Ado Royal Family and did not undergo any of the mandatory rites, consultations, or confirmations required by Okrika customs.

“The Ado Royal Family has never presented him as a candidate, nor has he undergone any of the prerequisite rites, consultations, or confirmations. His actions are those of a lone interloper, operating in a vacuum of legitimacy,” the statement read.

It further emphasized that the stool of the Amanyanabo of Okrika and Clan Head is a sacred institution rooted in centuries-old traditions and spiritual heritage, not something to be claimed through academic qualifications, political ambition, or personal interest.

Speaking during the briefing, Prof. Sotonye Fyneface-Ogan reiterated that the process of crowning an Amanyanabo is clearly defined and has not yet begun.

“To crown a king, there is a process, and those processes have not taken place,” he said. “We are the chiefs; we are the ones that will be part of the selection. Honestly, we have not started the selection process; we have only begun discussions.”

He explained that during the proper selection process, chiefs supervise nominations from each constituent house, with each house expected to nominate two or three candidates—steps which, he noted, have not been carried out.

“I want to assure the public that none of the Ado family chiefs has given Hon. Tam George any sign of approval,” Prof. Fyneface-Ogan added.

Efforts to obtain the reaction of Hon. Godknows Tam George proved unsuccessful. Repeated attempts through phone calls, text messages, and WhatsApp messages were unsuccessful, as he did not respond as of the time of filing this report.

By: Tonye Orabere

News

PH Traders Laud RSG’s Fire Safety Sensitisation Campaign

Published

1 day ago

January 12, 2026

The Tide

Traders in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, have commended the Rivers State Government (RSG) for its ongoing fire emergency and safety sensitisation campaign across major markets in the state.

Speaking on behalf of traders at Nowa Market, Borikiri Old Port Harcourt Township, the market chairman, Mr. Innocent Chukwuma, praised Governor Sir Siminalayi Fubara for initiating the awareness programme in designated markets and public places.

Chukwuma described the exercise as timely and impactful, noting that it was the first time the Rivers State Government had carried out such a campaign in Nowa Market. According to him, the sensitisation would educate traders on fire emergencies and the necessary precautions to prevent outbreaks.

He urged traders to strictly apply the safety measures taught during the campaign, both during business hours and after closing their shops.

“I want to thank the Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, and the Ministry of Special Duties for coming to our aid, especially during this dry season,” Chukwuma said.

“This is the first time we are seeing government presence in our market in this manner. We lack words to thank our God-sent governor, particularly for providing us with fire extinguishers and other firefighting equipment.

“We will do exactly what we have been taught today to ensure there is no fire incident in our market. We will always switch off all electrical appliances before closing for the day,” he added.

Similarly, the Chairman of Mile 3 USTRE Modern Market, Mr. Gift Nkesi Benjamin, applauded the state government for the distribution of fire extinguishers and other fire safety equipment.

“We will adhere strictly to the safety guidelines and instructions given to us today to ensure there is no fire outbreak in our market,” Benjamin stated.

“On behalf of Mile 3 USTRE Modern Market, I sincerely thank the Rivers State Government and the Ministry of Special Duties for bringing this important campaign to our market.”

At Rumuwoji Market (popularly known as Mile 1 Market), the Chairman, Chief Hon. Godpower O. Wobo, also expressed gratitude to the state government for the sensitisation exercise. He assured that traders would comply fully with government directives to prevent future fire incidents.

Responding on behalf of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Special Duties, Mr. Sokari D. P. George, thanked the traders for their cooperation and warm reception.

He emphasised that safety remains paramount, especially during the dry season, and urged traders to be cautious in their daily activities.

Mr. George disclosed that the theme of the 2025 fire safety campaign is “Controlled Fire Is a Friend, Uncontrolled Fire Is an Enemy.”

He cautioned against refuse and bush burning around buildings and warned traders not to store fuel in unauthorized places such as homes, offices, markets, or public buildings.

“Follow all fire safety guidelines and instructions,” he urged.

The permanent secretary also noted that Governor Fubara prefers a zero-fireworks approach during festive periods to ensure public safety, stressing that the government has invested heavily in markets and expects traders to take responsibility for protecting them.

By: Kiadum Edookor