Ibas directs payment of outstanding Rivers LG salaries, holds marathon confidence-building meetings.

Rivers state Sole Administrator, Vice-Admiral Ibok Ibas (retd) on Friday held marathon confidence-building meetings with various stakeholders in Rivers.

During one of his meetings with Heads of Local Government Administration and the leadership of the Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE), Rivers State chapter, at Government House, Ibas directed immediate payment of outstanding salaries of the councils’ employees.

The Sole Administrator said that he was aware of the hardship faced by workers in the councils, who had been owed salary for the month of February and March that was almost coming to an end.

He described the situation as most unfortunate, and explained that it was necessitated by the withholding of the monthly allocations to Rivers State following the Supreme Court judgement delivered on the 28 of February, 2025, which annulled the Local Government Councils elections of 5th October, 2024.

Ibas said: “I sincerely feel the pain of these workers, many of whom have endured months of financial strain. Let me assure that the withheld allocations have now been released, and I hereby issue a directive that all the necessary steps be taken to ensure that these salaries are paid with no further delay.

“As leaders we must feel the pains of our people and offer them a more positive, inclusive and transformative leadership. This is the mandate I have accepted and it is the standard I expect from all of you.

“To this end, I hereby direct further that all Local Government Areas furnish my office with a wage bills by way of briefing through the office of the Head of Service.

“This will enable me acquaint myself with the situation as this will enable me deal with such matter. All such submissions should be supported with relevant documents to provide clarity and ensure accuracy.”

Ibas promised to promote the culture of transparency and accountability while warning against reckless spending of public funds at the local government levels.

He said the local government is the third tier of government closest to the people, and bears the sacred responsibility of ensuring that affairs of councils run with utmost care, respect and dedication to the welfare of the people.

He also said that as a new administration, transparency and accountability would remain the watchword in all his engagements and activities.

He said: “My administration will not tolerate any form of recklessness, abuse of office or misuse of public funds. Henceforth, there must be accountability and value for money.

“I have just six months, but we must ensure that the people of Rivers State deserve to see how their money is used and it is our duty to ensure that very kobo is accounted for.”

Ibas said he was already working out the necessary modalities that would ensure effective monitoring of accountability, due process and zero tolerance for recklessness in the handling of public funds across all local government areas.

He emphasised that no efforts would be spared in taking decisive actions against anyone found wanting in financial dealings at the local government councils.

He said: We will ensure that every decision we make, every policy we implement and every action we take is guided by the principles of transparency, accountability and service to the people.

“I urge you to embrace these principles and make them the corner stone of your leadership in your respective local government areas.”

Ibas insisted that leadership was not all about comfort or personal gains but about service and sacrifices, stressing that Rivers people deserved the best of service from those saddled with responsibilities of public leadership

Ibas said that those, who were not willing to make such level of sacrifice, should willingly excuse themselves from such public responsibility.

He said: “We must rise to the occasion and provide our people with the effective leadership they deserved. I charge you therefore, to see yourself as change agents. You are not just administrators, you are the architect of the future we seek to build.

“History will be kind to you if you can right the wrongs of the past and lay the solid foundation for the progress of our state. This is your moment to make a difference. It is your opportunity to leave legacy of positive change.

“Let us therefore work together to ensure that the people of Rivers State feel the impact of good governance in their lives. Let us therefore uphold the highest standard of integrity in all that we do, refusing to be compromised by personal interest or external pressure,” he said.

In his remarks, President of Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE), Rivers State chapter, Clifford Paul, who is also the Head of Local Government Administration of Port Harcourt Local Government council said their workers were m owned two months salary and thanked the Sole Administrator for directing the immediate payment.

He said the political conflicts created much tension but expressed the hope that with the sole administrator on the saddle, greater peace would be achieved for the State, and pledged their unalloyed support to that course.

In his meeting with traditional rulers at the Banquet Hall, Ibas promised to explore the indispensable wisdom, influence and leadership of the traditional institution in the collective efforts to de-escalate tension, foster unity and build the needed trust among Rivers people.

The Sole Administrator said it was regrettable to note the negative impact the intractable political crisis had on the maintenance of law and order in Rivers State.

He pointed to the fact that Rivers State was not only a democratic state but also the heart of Niger Delta and a major contributor to the mainstay of the nation’s economy that must not continue to suffer such instability.

Ibas said he was wholly committed to restoring sense of pride, honour and security of residents in the State and urged traditional rulers to shun partisanship and encourage healthy dialogue that should foster peace in their various domains.

He said: “Your Royal Majesties, I recognise that the task ahead cannot be achieved in isolation. The traditional institution is a vital partner in this nation. You are the bridge between government and the people. The custodians of our values and the mediators in times of conflict.

“Your wisdom, influence and leadership are indispensable in our collective efforts to deescalate tensions, foster unity and rebuild the trust amongst our people.”

The Sole Administrator said that he would be open to useful suggestions and contributions that could be used to shape the policy and strategies to chart the course of achieving enduring peace in the state.

Ibas, while urging them to continue to play their role as peacemakers and advocate of development, said they must work together with his administration to promote dialogue, understanding and reconciliation in the various communities.

He said: “Let us remind our people that the progress of Rivers State is a shared responsibility and that only unity and cooperation can overcome the challenges before us.

“Your Royal Majesties, in my quest for peace and stability, it is imperative that traditional rulers shun all acts of partisanship either through their actions, speeches or body language.

“The traditional institution must remain a neutral and impartial arbiter, respected by all for fearless and integrity.

“I urge you to distance yourself overtly and covertly from any acts of cultism, violence, vandalism or anything that is illegality.

“Traditional rulers must not condone any action that does not promote economic good. Therefore, you are expected to report any forms of illegality or abuse to relevant authority.”

Ibas said his administration would not condone excuses for any disorder in any community and emphasised the need for them to take charge of their domains and ensure peace and stability prevailed.

In his speech, the Chairman of Rivers State Traditional Rulers Council, Eze Chike Amadi Worlu-Wodo, described the appointment of Ibas as commendable saying he had become the peacemaker that must sufficiently address the conflict that had lingered for a while.

Eze Worlu-Wodo assured that, as traditional rulers, they would work with him cooperatively while remaining true to their avowed responsibility of sustaining efforts that would engender peace, stability and progress in their domains and entire Rivers State.

Source: https://thenationonlineng.net/ibas-directs-payment-of-outstanding-rivers-lg-salaries-holds-marathon-confidence-building-meetings/

Oga Ibas, inspite the circumstances that availed the opportunity for him' he has a very good chance to set a very good record for the sake of his name and integrity especially for the tomorrow, he can only achieve that by choosing to do the right thing, and he can't get most of the things right without stepping on Wike and Tinubu's toes. The question now is: would he be man enough to consider his name and integrity and do the right thing?

Imagine becoming a Governor without going through elections and now, he is speaking like a politician. I believe this man will keep convincing Tinubu to extend this emergency rule ad infinitum.

One step forward, two steps backward .....if u know u know...!....

Opportunity must be utilised wisdomly and money must be made...

We got the news yesterday na

Good boy

Good

Hmmm nice

Noted.

way to go! All the mongrels pushing the remarkable and naive fubura to fight wike, where are they Now? you are the governor,you can do anything! demolish everything, we will ask our youth to wait for our order to bring down rivers state just to spite one person ! see where it has landed him??

I think this man should just finish the remaining years in the tenure.

Ibas is playing the long game, using traditional rulers as the secret weapon to restore peace and control Rivers State, nothing like a little behind-the-scenes strategy.

EmeeNaka:
Imagine becoming a Governor without going through elections and now, he is speaking like a politician. I believe this man will keep convincing Tinubu to extend this emergency rule ad infinitum.

No cry, no cry

chipet67:
I think this man should just finish the remaining years in the tenure.

No nah. You want make those wey push the kindergarten governor into pit to commit suicide ni?

One thing Tinubu deserves credit for, he is good at running criminal organizations, owing to his background as a career criminal.
The Nigerian government is an in organized crime. He is carrying all the members of the cartel along (his political allies) and they are all happy with him.

Initial gra gra

EmeeNaka:
Imagine becoming a Governor without going through elections and now, he is speaking like a politician. I believe this man will keep convincing Tinubu to extend this emergency rule ad infinitum.

He will fully join politics after his administration.

Smart man,, smooth operator

Hmm

chipet67:
I think this man should just finish the remaining years in the tenure.

man or boy.....he is just a stooge already acting the script

Steadily running the affairs of Rivers states with intelligence......

Exac6why I believe Wike, that Fubara do not deserve Rivers state....

spencekat:
He will fully join politics after his administration.

after enough paper with value has been cornered...

dynicks:
One step forward, two steps backward .....if u know u know...!....

Opportunity must be utilised wisdomly and money must be made...

Its only you that knows rubbish.

simpleseyi:


No nah. You want make those wey push the kindergarten governor into pit to commit suicide ni?

Make them commit na. Shebi Ugochinyere even voted to support emergency rule after barking everywhere in support of Sim.

well said, but don't go behind to fight, to remain there, because the love for power is a DO OR DIE affair in Africans

Greenfusion:
man or boy.....he is just a stooge already acting the script

Lol. And Sim was A king having stooges abi

Wike is now happy because river State belongs to him no more noise.
The funds will be shared according to Wike planned.
Tinubu is a criminal can Wike and Tinubu allows anyone to do this to them.
Dictatorship 💯%

Fubura without local government and law makers salary because they don’t support his mal administration I cry for Nigerian youth who support people like this

People who where elected just like you

Tochitee:
way to go! All the mongrels pushing the remarkable and naive fubura to fight wike, where are they Now? you are the governor,you can do anything! demolish everything, we will ask our youth to wait for our other to bring down rivers state just to spite one person ! see where it has landed him??

How does Fubara's suspension benefits you? You should be concerned about the governorship of your own state!