The Sole Administrator of Rivers State, Ibok-Ete Ibas, has announced the release of withheld local government allocations, assuring workers of prompt salary payments.
READ ALSO: Supreme Court reinstates order stopping Rivers’ allocations
Ibas made the disclosure during a meeting with heads of local government administrations in Port Harcourt, where he acknowledged the financial struggles faced by employees. He expressed concern for the difficulties workers have endured and reiterated his commitment to addressing their concerns.
He also highlighted the need for financial accountability, vowing to closely monitor the management of public funds. Additionally, he called for cooperation between local government administrators, traditional rulers, and security agencies to tackle security challenges in the state.
Meanwhile, Clifford Paul, President of the Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) and Administrator of Port Harcourt Local Government Area, expressed confidence in Ibas’ leadership. He urged the sole administrator to prioritize workers’ welfare, noting that local government employees are owed two months’ salaries.
The withholding of Rivers State’s allocation followed a legal dispute over Fubara’s presentation of the 2024 budget to only four lawmakers, a move the Federal High Court in Abuja deemed unconstitutional. Although an initial order stopping the funds was lifted, the Supreme Court later reinstated it, instructing the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the Accountant General of the Federation to halt allocations to the state.
