The Sole Administrator of Rivers State, Ibok-Ete Ibas, has announced the release of withheld local government allocations and assured that the necessary measures will be taken to ensure the prompt payment of workers’ salaries. This development comes as part of the administrator’s effort to restore stability and progress in the state, which has been grappling with economic difficulties, despite the region’s abundance of natural resources.
In a significant move, Ibas made the announcement during a meeting with Heads of Local Government Administrators in Port Harcourt. He described the meeting as a critical step in the collective effort to improve the state’s governance, and restore financial stability to the local government areas.
During his address, Ibas lamented the economic challenges facing the people of Rivers State and the broader Niger Delta region. Despite the wealth generated from natural resources such as oil and gas, he pointed out that the people of the region continue to suffer from widespread poverty and lack of development.
“This is unacceptable,” Ibas stated, emphasizing the need for urgent transformation and accountability in the management of resources. His statement reflected growing concerns over the mismanagement of public funds in the region, and his commitment to rectifying the situation under his leadership.
Ibas acknowledged that the delay in the payment of salaries to local government workers had become a pressing issue in the state. Workers in various local government areas had been waiting for months to receive their salaries, and the administrator expressed sympathy for the hardships they were facing.
“I feel the pain of the workers,” Ibas said, as he assured them that the withheld local government allocations had been released, and steps would be taken to ensure that salaries were paid without further delay.
However, the Sole Administrator made it clear that this financial assistance would not come without scrutiny. He warned that strict financial accountability would be enforced, and any cases of financial mismanagement would be investigated and dealt with accordingly.
Ibas, a retired vice admiral and former Chief of Naval Staff, stressed that financial accountability was a top priority for his administration. To ensure that public funds were properly managed, he directed all local government areas to submit their wage bills, supported by the necessary documentation, through the office of the Head of Service.
“I will not tolerate financial recklessness,” Ibas declared. “My administration will carefully scrutinize the handling of public funds, and any mismanagement will be dealt with decisively.” This pledge to enforce accountability was a key aspect of Ibas’s vision for the state, as he promised to change the negative narrative surrounding governance in Rivers State within the next six months.
The Sole Administrator also highlighted the need for cooperation between various stakeholders, including traditional rulers and security agencies, in order to improve security at the grassroots level. He urged the local government administrators to take the lead in ensuring the safety and well-being of their communities, emphasizing that security is essential for the overall development of the state.
“You must take the lead in ensuring security within your domains,” Ibas urged the local government heads, as he stressed the importance of fostering collaboration between all sectors to achieve lasting peace and stability.
In response to Ibas’s announcement, the President of the Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE), Clifford Paul, who is also the Administrator of Port Harcourt Local Government Area, expressed appreciation for the administrator’s commitment to addressing the welfare of local government workers. He acknowledged the challenges faced by the workers, particularly the two-month backlog of unpaid salaries.
Paul thanked the Federal Government for appointing Ibas as the Sole Administrator, crediting the decision to his competence and leadership skills. He also commended the administrator’s proactive approach to resolving the salary issues, expressing hope that the release of the withheld allocations would lead to the timely payment of workers’ wages.
“We are hopeful that with the release of the withheld allocations, the issue of unpaid salaries will be resolved,” Paul stated. “This is a positive development, and we encourage all stakeholders to work together to rebuild trust and foster unity in the state.”
While acknowledging the political challenges that have affected governance in Rivers State, Paul emphasized the need for unity and collaboration in order to move the state forward. He called on all stakeholders, including local government workers, to put aside differences and focus on the common goal of rebuilding the state.
The announcement by the Sole Administrator is seen as a positive step towards addressing the ongoing challenges facing Rivers State. With the release of the withheld local government allocations, there is renewed hope among local government workers that the delayed payments will be settled promptly. The emphasis on financial accountability and the involvement of traditional rulers and security agencies also signals a more comprehensive approach to governance and security in the state.
Rivers State, located in the Niger Delta, is one of Nigeria’s most economically important regions due to its oil and gas reserves. However, despite the wealth generated by these resources, the state has faced significant challenges, including poverty, underdevelopment, and political instability. The economic hardship in the region has been exacerbated by mismanagement of resources, which has contributed to widespread disillusionment among the populace.
The issue of unpaid salaries in the state, particularly among local government workers, has been a recurring problem. In recent years, there have been reports of delays in the payment of salaries, leading to frustration among workers and their families. The release of withheld allocations by the Sole Administrator is seen as a step towards resolving these issues and restoring faith in the state’s ability to manage its finances.
