Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has defended his administration’s implementation of recommendations from a staff payroll verification exercise across the state’s 23 local government areas, insisting that the initiative is aimed at eliminating ghost workers and strengthening fiscal discipline, not targeting political opponents.
Fubara spoke on Monday while commissioning the Omademe Internal Roads Project in Ikwerre Local Government Area, where he said inflated local government payrolls had remained a longstanding challenge that required decisive action.
The governor said the issue predated his administration, noting that the former Local Government Service Commission had commenced efforts to address it before the emergency rule in the state.
According to him, after returning from what he described as a “sabbatical leave” and constituting a new commission, he remained committed to completing the verification process to ensure that public funds were properly accounted for.
Fubara, who said his experience as a Treasury Officer had given him a firm understanding of public financial management, disclosed that ICT personnel were deployed to support the committee conducting the exercise.
He stressed that the verification was expected to be conducted objectively and transparently, without political considerations.
“It doesn’t matter whether the people are my supporters. It doesn’t matter whether they are people from the other side. Now there is no other side. We are all Rivers people. I want to ensure that the right thing is done,” he said.
The governor clarified that his administration was not opposed to legitimate employment into the local government service but insisted that recruitment must comply with established procedures.
“I’m not against you being employed. But the issue is that if you have to be employed, you have to be employed through the proper channel,” Fubara said.
He therefore urged those portraying the payroll verification exercise as politically motivated to desist, stressing that issues concerning governance and the welfare of Rivers residents should not always be viewed through the prism of political rivalry.
“So, I want to say here, that I approved the implementation of that recommendation and I stand by it,” he declared.
Fubara Reaffirms Infrastructure Focus
The governor also used the commissioning of the Omademe roads to reaffirm his administration’s commitment to infrastructure development, particularly projects designed to improve connectivity and stimulate economic activity in rural communities.
He said the road project would help open up communities, facilitate movement and create opportunities for economic growth.
Fubara assured residents that his administration would continue to deliver projects and improve the lives of Rivers people until the end of its tenure.
“We want to say it publicly here that it’s not about the number of days, but what matters in the life of every administration is the value that is added,” he said.
He urged residents to remain optimistic about the future, adding that his administration would continue to work collectively for the development of the state.
The governor also called on political leaders and stakeholders across Rivers State to consolidate the prevailing peace and move beyond the political disputes that have previously divided the state.
He urged leaders to focus on the future rather than reopen past political wounds.
“Just think of where we are coming from. Think of what has happened before. For me, I am not interested in going down that road anymore. What is behind me is behind me. What I am looking at is what is ahead of me,” he said.
Fubara called on political actors to work together in the interest of Rivers State and Nigeria.
Omademe Project Covers 8.6km
Earlier, the Commissioner for Works, Prof. Temple Nwofor, said the Omademe Internal Roads Project was awarded to Setraco Construction Limited in February 2024, with construction commencing in November of the same year.
He disclosed that the project comprises 10 internal roads covering approximately 8.6 kilometres.
The project includes side drains and outfall discharge systems, a 100mm asphaltic layer, 8.7 kilometres of concrete side drains and a three-kilometre outfall drainage system designed to mitigate the risk of localised flooding.
The Chairman of Ikwerre Local Government Area, Charles Wobodo, commended the governor for the project and appealed for additional road interventions to further expand the council’s road network.
The commissioning represents another infrastructure intervention by the Rivers State Government as the Fubara administration continues its efforts to improve rural connectivity, strengthen local economies and enhance the quality of life across the state.
