In a groundbreaking move set to transform tax collection in Rivers State, the Rivers State Internal Revenue Service (RIRS) has launched a cutting-edge digital platform to streamline revenue collection and reduce leakages. Acting Chairman of RIRS, Chibuoso Aholu, unveiled the new USSD Code *5224# during a press briefing at the RIRS Revenue Headquarters in Port Harcourt, explaining that the initiative was a crucial step toward boosting the state's revenue and cracking down on revenue diversions that have plagued the system.
“This USSD code is not just a number; it’s a revolution in how we collect taxes and revenue,” Aholu announced, emphasizing that the new system will especially target the informal sector, which has long been challenging to monitor. By integrating this code, RIRS aims to bring many more individuals and businesses under the tax net without the need for complex processes, enhancing compliance and simplifying the entire tax collection process. This innovation, launched in September, reflects the state’s commitment to increasing transparency and maximizing revenue generation.
Aholu highlighted that the formal sector tax collection is already largely organized, leaving the informal sector as a key area requiring a simplified approach. He stressed that the USSD code was designed to make it easier for small businesses, traders, and self-employed individuals to pay their dues, all while reducing human interaction in the tax collection process, which has historically opened doors to under-the-table dealings and inefficiencies.
Dr. Ngozi Koroye, the Rivers State Business Manager of LSSBI Advisory—the technical partner for the project—further elaborated on the seamless integration of the code with various digital channels. Koroye stated that the code works directly with the Momo PSB Mobile App, Opay Business App, and Opay POS Mobile Money Channels, bringing convenience and accessibility to taxpayers across the state. This means that users can now complete tax transactions with just a few taps, bypassing long queues and bureaucratic red tape.
Additionally, Koroye assured that other major channels, including the Polaris VULTE App and a range of agency banking channels, are in the process of integration, thereby ensuring that the platform reaches the widest possible audience and accommodates various payment preferences. This extended integration with top digital payment platforms is anticipated to drive the adoption of the new tax collection method across both urban and rural areas.
