Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has defended his administration’s decision to implement the recommendations of a staff payroll verification exercise across the state’s 23 Local Government Areas, insisting that the move is aimed at eliminating ghost workers and enforcing fiscal discipline rather than targeting political opponents.
Fubara spoke on Monday while commissioning the Omademe Internal Roads Project in Ikwerre Local Government Area, where he explained that bloated local government salary payrolls had remained a longstanding challenge in the state and could no longer be ignored.
The governor said the issue predated his administration, noting that the former Local Government Service Commission had already begun working on it before the emergency rule in the state.
According to him, following his return from what he described as a “sabbatical leave” and the constitution of a new commission, he remained determined to complete the process and ensure that public funds were properly managed.
Fubara, who said his previous experience as a Treasury Officer had given him a strong understanding of public financial management, disclosed that he deployed ICT personnel to support the committee handling the verification exercise.
He stressed that the committee was expected to conduct the exercise objectively and with integrity, 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 maintained that he was not opposed to legitimate employment into the local government service but insisted that recruitment must follow due process.
“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 consequently urged those attempting to link the payroll verification exercise to politics to desist, arguing that governance and issues concerning the welfare of Rivers people should not always be viewed through the lens 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: Our focus is on adding value
The governor also used the commissioning of the Omademe roads to reaffirm his administration’s commitment to infrastructure development and improving connectivity across rural communities.
He described the project as part of efforts to open up rural areas, link communities and facilitate movement while stimulating economic activities.
Fubara assured residents that his administration would continue to deliver projects and add value to the lives of Rivers people until its final day in office.
“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 not to lose hope, saying his administration would continue to work for the state and expressing optimism about the future.
“And who knows? God might have another different thing for us. So, please, I want everybody to cheer up. We are working as one now. Let us sustain that tempo for the good of Rivers State,” he added.
Governor urges political leaders to sustain peace
Fubara further called on political leaders across Rivers State to consolidate the prevailing peace and put the state’s past political crisis behind them.
He urged stakeholders to focus on the future rather than reopening old 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,” the governor said.
He called on political actors to work together in the interest of Rivers State and as members of the wider Nigerian federation.
Omademe roads cover 8.6 kilometres
Earlier, the Commissioner for Works, Prof. Temple Nwofor, disclosed that the Omademe Internal Roads Project was awarded to Setraco Construction Limited in February 2024, with construction commencing in November of the same year.
He said the project comprises 10 internal roads covering approximately 8.6 kilometres.
According to him, 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 prevent localised flooding.
The Chairman of Ikwerre Local Government Area, Hon. Charles Wobodo, expressed appreciation to the governor for the project but appealed for additional road projects to further expand the council’s road network.
The commissioning marked another infrastructure intervention by the Rivers State Government as the Fubara administration seeks to improve connectivity and economic activity in rural communities across the state.
