Tag: Rivers

Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara has clarified that Administrator Ibot-Eke Ibas left N600 billion in the state treasury at the end of the six-month emergency rule declared by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. He also noted that his administration had left N300 billion in the account before the emergency rule commenced. The emergency rule was in effect from March 18 to September 18, when it was lifted. Fubara spoke on the state’s finances during the inauguration of the 14.2km Obodhi-Ozochi Road in Ahoada East and Ahoada West, a project initiated by former Governor Nyesom Wike and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory. His administration redesigned the road. The governor made the remarks following repeated claims by the Speaker of the House of Assembly, Martins Amaewhule, that Vice Admiral Ibas left N600 billion in the treasury. Addressing the crowd mobilized by his Chief of Staff, Edison Ehie, Fubara encouraged Amaewhule to translate the support into votes for President Tinubu’s reelection in 2027. Fubara emphasized that his administration has maintained detailed records of all expenditures and promised to release them soon. He stressed that his government would not be linked to fraudulent activities in project execution. “When we left during the emergency rule, our records are there. We left over N300 billion, and when we returned, we met about N600 billion. Every penny spent is documented, and the evidence will be shown in the next six months,” he said. He added: “There is no issue with how we are using the funds or what we met. Nobody can question my integrity. I am not associated with fraudulent acts. The record of your money and how it is being spent is intact. We have strong projects ongoing. Perhaps some believe otherwise because we don’t flag-off projects unnecessarily.” Fubara further explained his administration’s approach to project delivery: “We believe in commissioning projects rather than spending on flag-offs and commissioning separately. We save the money and present completed projects to the people. Call me any day, the records are there.”

Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has warned that Permanent Secretaries who violated civil service rules and engaged in questionable practices during the state’s six-month emergency rule will face consequences. The governor issued the warning on Friday while swearing in Austin Ezekiel-Hart as a new Permanent Secretary at the Government House, Port Harcourt. Fubara said his administration would no longer overlook misconduct within the service, stressing that records of past irregularities have been preserved and would be addressed at the right time. “To all Permanent Secretaries who supported actions that went against the standards of the civil service, your punishment will come. The records are there, and when the time is right, I’ll bring them up one after the other,” he said. He praised Ezekiel-Hart for demonstrating professionalism and integrity despite pressure, noting that his principled stance was the reason for his appointment. The governor emphasized that civil servants must uphold truth, fairness, and due process at all times, adding that no directive should override established rules. According to him, the civil service remains the backbone of good governance, and his administration will continue to promote accountability and integrity in public service.