● Tonye Okurumo
The Rivers State Investment Promotion Agency (RSIPA) has announced its ongoing collaboration with government ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs) to foster a more business-friendly environment in the State. This initiative, aimed at promoting the ease of doing business, was highlighted in a release from the RSIPA Media Team in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, on Thursday, October 31, 2024.
RSIPA also introduced an integrated one-stop-shop platform to streamline information sharing and showcase opportunities available across various MDAs and economic sectors within the State. This platform is designed to support prospective investors as they explore business and investment opportunities.
At RSIPA’s first stakeholders’ engagement session held at Government House, Port Harcourt, the Director-General of RSIPA, Dr. Chamberlain Peterside, outlined the agency’s commitment to coordinating with MDAs and other key business entities. As part of its investment management role, RSIPA aims to facilitate and enhance the effectiveness of these entities in their respective functions.
He noted, “The first step to that collaboration is what we just had today: Stakeholders’ engagement, where we brought multisectoral interests to sit with us, speak to us, express their views, and discuss how we can partner to advance investments because there is a tendency for any entity to have the impression that the agency is here to take away their business.
“We are here to complement, coordinate, and ensure that the MDAs and other key entities are more successful in what they do. Not all MDAs engage directly in investment-related activities, but frontline ministries like Lands, Commerce and Industry, Transport, Youth Development, and Women Affairs—any that have an investment angle, skill acquisition, or youth development component—are vital partners for us in this process.”
Dr. Peterside further stressed that RSIPA’s transparency will be key to building investor confidence and gaining stakeholders’ support to reshape public perception and drive investment into the State to strengthen the economy.
He added, “We have a perception problem. People believe it’s unsafe to travel to Rivers State and invest. We want to change that understanding of the State.
“First, by making sure we operate transparently through a portal like the one-stop centre, which will host a wealth of information. Secondly, we plan to launch a positive media campaign to counteract the negative narrative.
“As far as investments are concerned, we want to showcase positive investment stories across all media channels. Last week, a deal with the Rivers State Waste Management Agency was signed, and it made headlines. That’s what we want to keep seeing.”
Addressing issues of touting and multiple taxation, Dr. Peterside stated that the agency would work closely with the State Board of Internal Revenue, local government councils, and other agencies to implement an existing harmonized tax code.
He emphasized, “In the coordination of investment flow, we will ensure collaboration with other agencies. There is a harmonized tax code that already exists. It must be implemented. We will support the Board of Internal Revenue and local government councils in this effort. It’s a significant challenge, but with the harmonized tax code in place, we’re optimistic that it can be achieved going forward.”
The session was attended by prominent officials, including Commissioner for Information Joe Johnson, Commissioner for Women Affairs Dr. Roseline Uranta, Acting Administrator of the Greater Port Harcourt City Development Authority Dr. Tonte Davies, and senior representatives from RIWAMA, Ministries of Finance, Youth Development, and private sector organizations. GMTNewsng
