Rivers State: We've Saved N5bn For Rivers From Staff Verification Exercise, Says Ibas, Sole Admin
Rivers Administrator Vice-Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (retd) has announced the saving of N5bn from the state’s August salary bill following the decision to initiate a comprehensive staff verification exercise.
Ibas spoke on Tuesday during the grand finale of the 2025 Civil Service Week Celebration at the Dr. Obi Wali International Conference Centre in Port Harcourt.
He said that the verification successfully identified and removed non-existent staff and impostors from the government payroll.
He declared that the recovered funds would be immediately channeled into critical developmental projects and programmes designed for the direct benefit of the people of Rivers State.
Ibas said: “This verification exercise has enabled us to distinguish genuine staff from impostors on the payroll. The ₦5bn saved is not just a figure; it is a testament to our commitment to fiscal responsibility.
“These funds will now be strategically invested in critical infrastructure and social projects to accelerate the sustainable development of Rivers State.”
A statement signed by the Senior Special Adviser, Media, Rivers State Government, Hector Igbikiowubo, said the event, titled “Five Years to 2030: Accelerating Public Service Delivery for a Sustainable Future,” served as a platform to honour the state’s civil servants, whom the Administrator described as “the backbone of this administration and our unsung heroes.”
Ibas outlined a bold vision for a revitalized civil service, announcing a series of transformative reforms already underway.
He named the reforms as enhanced welfare including an upward review of salaries and allowances for Heads of Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) to bridge the wage gap with political office holders adding that a new N85,000 minimum wage had been implemented at the local government level.
He said there was significant investment in training and upskilling programmes, including the first large-scale training for finance and accounting officers, with more planned for senior and middle-level staff.
Ibas said monthly pension allocations had been increased from N2bn to N2.6bn to ensure timely payments, saying that all pensioners, both domestic and abroad, had been verified and enrolled in the state’s contributory health scheme.
He said there was a mandatory enrollment of all workers in the state’s contributory health protection programme adding thag a Group Life Insurance programme would soon take effect to ensure prompt payment of entitlements to families of deceased workers.
Ibas reaffirmed his administration’s unwavering commitment to transparency, accountability, and excellence.
“With accurate data and a reinvigorated workforce, Rivers State is set on a path of sustainable growth and excellence in governance,” he declared.
The event also featured the unveiling of the new Rivers State Civil Service Handbook and the inaugural edition of The Bureaucrat magazine by the Acting Head of Service, Dr. (Mrs.) Inyingi Brown.
SOURCE: NATION
