The Rivers State Government in southern Nigeria has formally adopted the International Public Sector Accounting Standards (IPSAS) along with a revised framework of revenue codes.
The move marks a significant step toward strengthening fiscal governance, enhancing transparency and accountability, and aligning the state’s financial management practices with global standards to support sustainable economic growth.
The launch, which took place at the Banquet Hall of Government House in Port Harcourt, the state capital, marks the culmination of a strategic reform initiative designed to align Rivers State with global best practices in public financial management.
Addressing stakeholders, the Rivers State Administrator, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas, said the reforms were necessary to address systemic weaknesses in the state’s revenue architecture.
“For too long, our revenue system has suffered from weak or imprecise computation, creating loopholes that encouraged leakages, inconsistencies, and outright losses.
“This reform ushers in transparency, accountability, and efficiency. Every transaction will be traceable, every payment verifiable, and every process auditable in real time,” he said.
The administrator emphasised that the dual implementation of IPSAS and the modernised revenue codes will fundamentally transform the state’s economy.
He said the IPSAS framework will ensure the state’s financial records are “comparable, credible, and globally acceptable,” significantly boosting confidence among investors and international development partners.
Furthermore, Ibas stated that the new revenue codes will empower the Rivers State Internal Revenue Service (RSIRS) to capture previously overlooked revenue streams, deepen the tax net, and substantially enhance Internally Generated Revenue (IGR).
“For taxpayers, it means convenience. For the government, it means more reliable revenue inflows. And for our people, it means resources will be better harnessed to provide infrastructure and services that improve daily life,” Ibas explained.
He also highlighted the strategic advantage the reforms provide, positioning Rivers State to more easily access international funding and grants from institutions like the World Bank and the United Nations by demonstrating a proven capacity for transparent and accountable resource management.
Reflecting on his tenure, the administrator urged the sustainability of these reforms, noting, “Though my time here is short, the legacy we leave behind is one of courage, discipline, and reform. History will judge that every action was taken for the general good of Rivers State.”
In his remarks, the Chairman of the Rivers State Internal Revenue Service, Mr Israel Egbunefu, described the adoption as a transformative step that “globalises the fiscal identity of Rivers State.”
“With IPSAS, Rivers State is no longer reporting revenue in isolation. It is speaking a language understood by the World Bank, the United Nations, and global financial institutions.
“This will unlock billions of naira in revenue that were previously lost or underreported and position us as a credible destination for investment and international credit,” Mr Egbunefu said.
Mr Egbunefu praised Administrator Ibas for his leadership and courage in seeing through the complex reform within a short period, calling on all stakeholders to consolidate the gains for the lasting benefit of the state.
This comprehensive fiscal overhaul is expected to unlock significant growth potential in key sectors, including tourism, commerce, agriculture, real estate, and technology, paving the way for a more prosperous future for all Rivers people.