Blessing Ibunge in Port Harcourt
Governor Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers State defended his administration’s decision to implement the findings of a comprehensive payroll verification exercise across the state’s 23 local government areas, saying the move aims to eliminate “ghost” workers and restore fiscal discipline.
Fubara, who spoke on Monday while commissioning the Omademe Internal Roads Project in Ikwerre Local Government Area, said the payroll clean-up was necessary to address longstanding irregularities in the councils’ salary structure.
The governor said the problem predated his administration, stating that the former Local Government Service Commission had commenced efforts to tackle the bloated payroll before the political crisis and subsequent emergency rule in the state.
He said he remained committed to completing the process after his return and the inauguration of a new commission, stressing that the exercise is conducted with the support of experienced treasury and ICT personnel.
Fubara dismissed suggestions that the payroll verification was politically motivated, declaring that employment into the state’s public service must follow due process, regardless of political affiliation.
The governor stated, “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.”
The governor added: “I approved the implementation of that recommendation and I stand by it.”
Fubara also used eaffirmed his administration’s commitment to infrastructure development, particularly projects designed to open up rural communities and strengthen economic activities.
He said the Omademe road project was conceived to improve connectivity within the community and neighbouring areas.
He assured Rivers residents that his administration would continue to deliver projects that add value to their lives until its last day in office.
Fubara said, “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.”
The governor appealed to political leaders in Rivers State to consolidate the prevailing peace and avoid returning to the political crisis that previously divided the state.
He stated, “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 urged residents to work together for the development of the state.
Earlier, Commissioner for Works, Professor Temple Nwofor, said the Omademe Internal Roads contract was awarded to Setraco Construction Limited in February 2024, with construction commencing in November of the same year.
The project comprises 10 internal roads covering about 8.6 kilometres, alongside concrete side drains and an outfall drainage system.
Nwofor said the project included approximately 8.7 kilometres of concrete side drains and a three-kilometre outfall system designed to mitigate localised flooding.
Chairman of Ikwerre Local Government Area, Charles Wobodo, commended the governor for the project, but appealed for additional road projects to further expand the council’s road network.