Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has disclosed that his administration met more than ₦600 billion in the state’s coffers following the end of emergency rule, insisting that public funds under his watch are being managed prudently and transparently.
The governor made the disclosure on Wednesday while commissioning the 14.2-kilometre Obodhi–Ozochi Road, a key infrastructure project linking Ahoada East and Ahoada West Local Government Areas of the state. His comments came against the backdrop of renewed criticisms from the Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Martin Amaewhule, regarding the state of public infrastructure and the utilisation of available funds.
Fubara explained that before President Bola Tinubu declared emergency rule in Rivers State, his administration left about ₦300 billion in government accounts, adding that official records clearly support this claim. According to him, when the emergency rule ended and he resumed office, the state’s financial position reflected over ₦600 billion.
“Today, I want to also say to the whole world: when we left during the emergency rule, our records were there. We left over ₦300 billion. When we came back, we met about ₦600 billion and something,” the governor said.
The issue of state finances had earlier been raised by Speaker Amaewhule during a recent plenary session, where he stated that the immediate past Sole Administrator, retired Rear Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas, handed over more than ₦600 billion after the emergency rule was lifted. The Speaker also criticised the executive over the deteriorating condition of some public schools, particularly Township State School 1 along Moscow Road, Port Harcourt.
Amaewhule cited findings from a report by the House Committee on Education, chaired by Hon. Aforji Igwe, following an inspection of the school. He expressed concern that the school lacked basic facilities such as toilets, despite its close proximity to Government House, and questioned how the state government was deploying the funds at its disposal.
Although Fubara did not directly mention the Speaker, he responded to the concerns by assuring residents that all state funds were being utilised responsibly. He stressed that expenditure records under his administration are open, intact and verifiable.
“If there is one thing I can say that I’m proud of, nobody can associate me with anything bad. Your money and the records of how your money is being spent are intact. We have very strong projects that we are doing,” he said.
The governor assured Rivers residents that within six months, his administration would present clear and detailed accounts of how public funds are being spent. He attributed some of the criticisms to his government’s approach of completing projects before commissioning them, rather than holding frequent project flag-off ceremonies.
“Maybe the reason why some people think something is happening that they are not aware of is that we don’t believe in fluffing projects. We believe in commissioning them,” Fubara explained.
On the Obodhi–Ozochi Road project, the governor noted that it was initiated under his predecessor, Nyesom Wike, as part of political mobilisation ahead of the 2023 general elections, through a former lawmaker and then Chief of Staff, Edison Ehie. He said Ehie successfully delivered on the assignment, prompting his administration to complete and expand the project.
Fubara also approved requests from the host communities for the construction of internal roads and urged Ehie to mobilise political support for President Bola Tinubu ahead of the 2027 general elections, saying the large turnout at the event should translate into electoral backing.
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