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In line with his campaign promise to work smarter and achieve better for the people of Obio/Akpor, the Chairman, Hon. Dr. Gift Worlu, has taken a bold step toward modernizing governance and boosting the Local Governmentβs Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) through a strategic partnership with Cinfores Limited, a leading Nigerian Information and Communication Technology (ICT) company.
The partnership aims to digitalize the civil service and automate the councilβs revenue collection system, enhancing efficiency, transparency, and accountability in service delivery.
The meeting, held at the Obio/Akpor Council Secretariat, brought together the councilβs principal officers, members of the Legislative Assembly, revenue consultants, and ICT experts from Cinfores to discuss the deployment of the new revenue automation platform.
In his address, Hon. Dr. Gift Worlu described the initiative as a milestone in the councilβs drive to create a modern, efficient, and people-centered government.
βItβs a great day for us as we take this decisive step to enhance our competence and work smarter for our people,β he stated. βThis new system will increase our revenue base, reduce corruption, create a friendlier business environment, and improve the delivery of the dividends of democracy to our people.β
The Chairman emphasized that Obio/Akpor, being the commercial nerve center of Rivers State, must lead in adopting technological innovations that promote sustainable development and effective governance. He explained that the digitalization effort will generate accurate data on businesses, employment, and economic activities within the LGAβdata he said are essential for evidence-based planning and growth.
βWe need to know the companies operating in our area, their locations, and how many of our people they employ. With proper data management, we can create jobs, manage resources better, and block revenue leakages. This system will help us achieve that,β Dr. Worlu added.
He further urged stakeholders to embrace the initiative wholeheartedly, stressing that the project represents a collective vision for a smarter, more accountable local government system.
βThis is not the Chairmanβs idea alone; it is our idea. Together, we will move from the traditional approach into a new digital era and set the pace for other LGAs to follow,β he said.
Also speaking, the revenue consultant, Estate Surveyor Emma Okas Wike, commended the Chairman for his foresight, noting that automation would significantly reduce human interference, minimize losses, and ensure fairness in revenue assessment.
βAutomation minimizes leakages caused by interpersonal relationships between collectors and payers. It simplifies processes, encourages voluntary compliance, and ensures every revenue item is properly accounted for,β he said.
On his part, the Chief Executive Officer of Cinfores Limited, Mr. Asawo Ibifuro, presented the proposed digital revenue and identification verification system, which will serve as the technological backbone for all local government transactions.
He explained that the system would integrate all revenue sources β including business permits, operational licenses, market levies, and lock-up shop fees β into a centralized, transparent, and easily accessible platform.
βOur solution will automate revenue collection, provide real-time data on payments, and enable the council to monitor performance through a dashboard interface,β Ibifuro said. βIt will also include a digital identification system to verify residents and business owners, prevent fraud, and aid effective planning.β
Mr. Ibifuro further noted that the system aligns with the forthcoming National Tax Administration Reforms scheduled to take effect in January 2026, positioning Obio/Akpor as one of the first LGAs in Nigeria to transition fully to e-invoicing and digital tax management.
The principal officers and Honourable Councillors of the Obio/Akpor Legislative Assembly pledged their full support for the digitalization initiative, affirming their commitment to collaborate with the executive arm to ensure its successful implementation.
Those in attendance included the Head of Local Government Administration (HLGA), Mr. Sunny Adibe; the Head of Personnel Management (HPM); principal officers, directors of departments, and other senior staff of the Obio/Akpor Local Government Council.
The new initiative, once implemented, is expected to revolutionize the councilβs revenue collection process, strengthen service delivery, and make Obio/Akpor a model for digital governance in Rivers State.
Signed:
Office of the Chairman, Obio/Akpor Local Government Area
October 15, 2025
