The Administrator of Rivers State, Vice Adm. Ibok-Ete Ibas (rtd).
By Dianabasi Effiong
The Administrator of Rivers State, Vice Adm. Ibok-Ete Ibas (rtd), has charged the newly appointed Administrators of the 23 Local Government councils to be prudent in their financial dealings.
Ibas, who gave the charge at a meeting with the appointed Administrators for the 23 Local Government Areas at Government House in Port Harcourt on Friday, urged them to prioritise the well-being of the people.
He also told them to ensure good governance in the promotion of trust, sustainable development and peaces and reminded the appointees that he had served Nigeria for more than 40 years with an unblemished record of service in the military and diplomatic corps and was in retirement when the current appointment was made.
Ibas said he accepted the offer to serve Nigeria and, indeed, the people of Rivers from a conviction that the best must always be given to ensure progress and achievement of great potential.
His words : “Since resuming this assignment, I have taken time to visit a few local government areas. Those visits have accorded me the opportunity to interact with local government civil servants and it is clear that I needed help with administering the entire State, which I am responsible for following Mr. President’s proclamation.
“And so I went about trying to identify a few individuals from which on the 7th of April 2025, I selected those seated here today as administrators of the 23 Local Government Areas.”
Ibas also urged them to concentrate on the enormous responsibility of their office, knowing that the local government remained the closest tier of government to the people.
He said the local government was also the primary channel through which the government must necessarily touch the lives of the citizens in their homes, in their communities, and in their daily realities.
Ibas urged them to focus on issues of sanitation and environment management, primary healthcare, welfare and discipline of local government civil servants, primary education, and youth engagement as those issues would be used to access their performances in the coming weeks.
Ibas said: “I expect you all to recognise this moment in history and rise to the occasion, as impartial leaders who will help me deliver on the mandate given to me by Mr president to restore peace and stability and work towards returning all democratic institutions in the State.
“Your selection to the important office is not by chance but a recognition of your capacity to lead, your commitment to service, and the trust reposed in you to bring governance closer to the people.
“Therefore, you bear the sacred responsibility, a duty to ensure that affairs of your respective councils are managed with the utmost care, respect, and unwavering dedication to the welfare of our people.”
He said that the expectations of the people were high, adding that they deserved to know that their leaders were honest, selfless, and devoted to building a better future for everybody.
“it was for such expectation that they must be of good conduct, be fair, prioritise collaborations that would ensure effective policing of their domain to enhance the safety of lives and properties”, he stated..
Ibas said: “Let me state it unequivocally clear here, this administration will not tolerate any form of recklessness, abuse of office, or misuse of public funds or trust. The resources allocated to our local government must be used strictly for the purposes intended. So that there might be accountability and value for money for every project executed, every policy implemented, and every kobo spent. The people of Rivers State deserve to see how their money is being used, and it is your duty to give proper account and value.
“To this end, we will work out the necessary modalities to monitor and ensure good compliance with the principles of due processes, transparency, and zero tolerance for financial recklessness across all local government councils.”