A wave of anxiety has gripped local government administrators in Rivers State following a sudden directive from the state’s Sole Administrator, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (rtd), ordering them to submit detailed financial and operational reports covering the past two years.
The unexpected instruction, which was relayed via a letter from the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Local Government Affairs, Dame Dr. Itong Awani, has raised concerns about its urgency and possible political undertones.
Shock Directive Sparks Concerns
The directive comes in the wake of a Supreme Court ruling that nullified the 2024 local government elections, leading the then-governor, Siminialayi Fubara, to appoint Heads of Local Government Administration (HLGAs) as temporary council overseers. However, Monday’s order now requires all 23 LGAs to submit reports detailing their finances, staffing, and developmental projects by Wednesday, March 26, 2025.
What’s in the Report?
The letter outlines a strict submission format, requiring:
An introduction and explanation of council functions
A breakdown of staff strength by cadre
Sources of revenue generation
A list of completed and ongoing projects from the last two years
Achievements and key challenges of each local government
Recommendations on addressing local governance issues
Local government officials are reportedly unsettled by the directive, given the political tensions surrounding Rivers State’s leadership in recent months. Some suspect the move may be aimed at exposing financial mismanagement or setting the stage for a major restructuring of the councils.
With the submission deadline looming, all eyes are on the state government to see how this development unfolds.
