The Federal Government has released the withheld allocations of Rivers State, barely 24 hours after Vice Admiral Ibok Ete Ibas (retd.) assumed office as the state’s Sole Administrator.
Iba had taken over the government on Thursday, after he was sworn in by president Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Wednesday at the State House, Abuja.
The Attorney General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), at a State House press briefing on Thursday, disclosed the release of the fund to the sole administrator of the state.
Ibas, while addressing Heads of Local Government Administrators in Port Harcourt on Friday, confirmed the release of the funds and assured residents of prompt salary payments and other developmental initiatives.
During the meeting with local government administrators, Ibas expressed concern over the delay in salary payments, noting its negative impact on the state’s workforce.
He directed all local government areas to submit their wage bills, along with supporting documents, through the office of the Head of Service to ensure transparency.
“I feel the pain of the workers,” Ibas stated, emphasizing that it was unacceptable for the people of Rivers and the Niger Delta to suffer economic hardship despite the region’s wealth in crude oil resources.
He also warned against financial mismanagement, stressing that accountability and transparency would be strictly enforced during his tenure.
Ibas assured stakeholders of his administration’s commitment to reversing the negative narrative surrounding Rivers State, which has been plagued by political tensions between Governor Siminalayi Fubara and the Martins Amaewhule-led House of Assembly.
He urged local government administrators to prioritize security within their domains and work collectively to restore stability and progress.
“You must take the lead in ensuring security within your domains,” he advised.
In his remarks, the President of the Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) and Administrator of Port Harcourt Local Government Area, Clifford Paul, acknowledged the developmental strides made in the state despite the political crisis.
He commended the Federal Government for intervening through the appointment of Ibas and assured the Sole Administrator of their support in navigating the transition period.
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