Pay Local Govt Workers Now… Rivers State Sole Administrator tells Council Heads

The Sole Administrator of Rivers State, Vice Admiral Ibok Ibas (rtd), has directed the heads of local government administration in the state, to commence processes for the payment of outstanding salaries owned council workers.

Ibas gave the directive when he met with heads of local government administration and the leadership of Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE), Rivers State chapter, at the Government House in Port Harcourt on Friday.

The sole administrator stated that he is aware of the hardship faced by local government workers who had been owed salaries for the month of February and March that is almost coming to an end.

He described the situation as most unfortunate, and explained that it was necessitated by the withholding of the monthly allocations to Rivers State following the Supreme Court judgement delivered on February 28, 2025, which annulled the local government elections held on October 5, 2024.

Ibas pledged to promote the culture of transparency and accountability, while warning against reckless spending of public funds at the local government levels.

He said the local government is the third tier of government closest to the people, and bears the sacred responsibility of ensuring that affairs of councils run with utmost care, respect and dedication to the welfare of the people.

He also stated that as a new administration, transparency and accountability will remain the watchword in all engagements and activities.

President of Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE), Rivers State chapter, Comrade Clifford Paul, who is also the head of local government administration of Port Harcourt Local Government Areas, said local government workers are owned two months salaries, and thanked the sole administrator for directing the immediate payment of their salaries.

Comrade Paul stated that Rivers State had experienced development with the political conflicts creating so much tension, but expressed the hope that with the sole administrator on the saddle, greater peace will be achieved in the state, and pledged their unalloyed support to that cause.