Rivers administrator orders payment of outstanding LG staff salaries

The Sole Administrator of Rivers State, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (rtd), has directed the Heads of Local Government Administration to take all necessary steps to ensure payment of outstanding workers’ salaries.

Ibas gave the directive while meeting with the Heads of Local Government Administration and the leadership of Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE), Rivers State chapter, in Port Harcourt, the state capital, on Friday, March 21, 2025.

He described as unfortunate the non-payment of the workers salaries for February and March but attributed the situation to the withholding of the monthly allocations to the state following the Supreme Court judgement.

The Supreme Court had, on February 28, also annulled the LG council election of October 5, 2025.

Ibas disclosed that the withheld allocations had been released, saying: “I sincerely feel the pain of these workers, many of whom have endured months of financial strain.

“I hereby issue a directive that all the necessary steps be taken to ensure that these salaries are paid with no further delay.”

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

The administrator added: “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.

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

Ibas said the briefing by the head of service would enable him acquaint himself with the situation as would enable deal with such matter.

He directed that all such submissions should be supported with relevant documents to provide clarity and ensure accuracy.

Ibas pledged to promote the culture of transparency and accountability, warning against reckless spending of public funds at the local government level.

Ibas also stated that transparency and accountability would remain the watchword of the new administration in all engagements and activities.

The administrator 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 every kobo is accounted for.”

Ibas added that he was already working out the necessary modalities that would ensure effective monitoring of accountability.

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

On his part, the President of NULGE in Rivers State, Clifford Paul, who is also the Head of LG Administration of Port Harcourt Local Government, acknowledged that workers were not paid for about two months.

He lauded the sole administrator for directing the immediate payment of their salaries.

Paul said Rivers State had experienced slow development with the political conflicts creating much tension but expressed hope that with the sole administrator on the saddle, greater peace would return back to the state.

He, however, pledged their support to the course of peace and stability in the state.

The Star