KEY POINTS

• Rivers State Sole Administrator Ibok-Ete Ibas has released withheld local government allocations, promising to address salary delays and ensure financial accountability.
• Ibas warned against financial recklessness, directing local governments to submit wage bills for scrutiny and vowing to take action against mismanagement.
• The administration aims to enhance grassroots security through collaboration with traditional rulers and security agencies, while workers remain hopeful for timely salary payments.

In a significant move to address the financial challenges facing Rivers State, the Sole Administrator, Ibok-Ete Ibas, has announced the release of withheld local government allocations.

The decision, revealed during a meeting with Heads of Local Government Administrators in Port Harcourt on Friday, 21 March 2025, aims to alleviate the economic hardship faced by workers and restore stability across the state.

Ibas, a retired vice admiral and former Chief of Naval Staff, described the meeting as a “pivotal moment in the collective effort to restore stability and progress in the state.”

According to Channelstv, he expressed deep concern over the delay in salary payments, which has left many local government workers struggling to make ends meet. “I feel the pain of the workers,” he said, assuring them that the withheld funds had been released and that steps were being taken to ensure salaries are paid promptly.

The Sole Administrator did not mince words when addressing the economic challenges in the Niger Delta region. Despite its vast natural resources, the region continues to grapple with poverty and underdevelopment. “This is unacceptable,” Ibas stated, emphasizing the need for transformation and accountability in governance.

Ibas calls for financial accountability

Ibas warned that his administration would not tolerate financial recklessness. He directed all local government areas to submit their wage bills, supported by relevant documentation, through the office of the Head of Service.

“Good governance is not just a slogan, but a commitment to changing the negative narrative within the next six months,” he declared.

The Sole Administrator vowed to scrutinize the handling of public funds and take decisive action against any mismanagement. “We will not tolerate financial recklessness. Every kobo must be accounted for,” he said, signaling a new era of transparency and accountability in Rivers State.

Ibas also stressed the importance of collaboration with traditional rulers and security agencies to enhance grassroots security. “You must take the lead in ensuring security within your domains,” he urged local government administrators. This call comes amid rising concerns about insecurity in rural areas, which has hindered development and economic growth.

Responding to Ibas’s address, the President of the Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) and Administrator of Port Harcourt Local Government Area, Clifford Paul, commended the Sole Administrator for his leadership. “We acknowledge the developmental strides made in the state despite political conflicts,” Paul said. He also praised the Federal Government for appointing Ibas, attributing the decision to his competence and track record.

Paul revealed that local government workers are currently owed two months’ salaries but expressed optimism that the release of the withheld allocations would bring relief. “We are hopeful now that the withheld allocations have been released. This is an opportunity to rebuild trust and foster unity in the state,” he added.

The release of the withheld allocations marks a critical step in addressing the financial challenges facing Rivers State. However, the road to recovery remains long, with issues such as insecurity, political conflicts, and mismanagement of resources still plaguing the region.

Ibas’s administration has set an ambitious goal to transform the state within six months. By prioritizing workers’ welfare, enforcing financial accountability, and enhancing security, the Sole Administrator hopes to lay the foundation for sustainable development.

As Rivers State embarks on this new chapter, stakeholders are cautiously optimistic. The coming months will be crucial in determining whether Ibas’s promises translate into tangible improvements for the people of Rivers State.