The Rivers State Investment Promotion Agency (RSIPA) has announced that it is collaborating with government ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs) to establish an integrated one-stop-shop platform for investment information in the state.
The Director-General of RSIPA, Dr. Chamberlain Peterside, stated that the platform aims to promote ease of doing business and improve the operating environment for investors in Rivers State.
According to Dr. Peterside, the integrated one-stop-shop platform will facilitate the sharing of useful information and highlight opportunities within the respective MDAs and various sectors of the state’s economy. This platform is expected to provide potential investors with access to information that aligns with their business and investment goals.
Speaking during the maiden stakeholders’ engagement session at the Government House in Port Harcourt on Thursday, Dr. Peterside explained that, as part of its investment management role, RSIPA will facilitate, support, and coordinate the activities of various MDAs and other key players in the business environment to help them succeed.
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He said, “The first step in this collaboration is what we just had today: a stakeholders’ engagement session where we brought together multisectoral interests to engage with us, share their views, and discuss ways we can partner to advance investments. There is often a misconception that the agency is here to take over their business, but we are here to complement, coordinate, and ensure that the MDAs and other key entities are more successful in their efforts.
“Not all MDAs deal directly with investment, but key ministries such as the Ministry of Lands, Commerce and Industry, Transport, and even Ministries of Youth Development and Women Affairs—where there is an investment promotion, skill acquisition, or youth development angle—are crucial partners in this process.”
Dr. Peterside emphasized that the agency would operate transparently to boost investor confidence and secure stakeholder support, aiming to change the negative public perception of the state and accelerate investment inflows to strengthen the economy.
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“We have a perception problem. People often view Rivers State as an insecure place to travel to or invest in. Our goal is to shift this narrative by operating transparently, including through a one-stop-center portal that offers a wealth of information. Additionally, we intend to launch a positive media campaign to reshape this perception.
“Recently, a deal was signed with the Rivers State Waste Management Agency, and it received significant media coverage. That’s the kind of positive investment information we want to promote across all media platforms,” Dr. Peterside added.
Addressing the issues of touting and multiple taxation, he noted that there is already a harmonized tax code, which will be implemented with the support of the State Board of Internal Revenue, local government councils, and other government agencies.
He stressed, “In coordinating investment flow, we will work closely with other agencies. A harmonized tax code already exists and must be implemented. We will support the Board of Internal Revenue and local government councils in this effort. It’s a significant challenge, but the existence of a harmonized tax code is encouraging, and we look forward to implementing it.”
