… Angry at Rivers House of Assembly
Ibok-ete Ibas, sole administrator of Rivers State, says he earnestly seeks programmes that would engender industrial growth, sustainable employment opportunities, and youth employment.
The retired vice admiral made the appeal while receiving a delegation from the Niger Delta Synod of the Presbyterian Church of Nigeria, led by Nneoyi Ubi Arikpo, their Moderator, during a courtesy visit at Government House, Port Harcourt, on Thursday.
Recognising the influential role of faith-based institutions in shaping society, the sole administrator emphasised the need for collaborative efforts between government and religious bodies to align spiritual leadership with economic empowerment.
“I commend the church for its commitment to peace, moral values, and community development. Growing up, the church played a pivotal role in instilling discipline and direction. Today, religious institutions remain essential partners in sustaining peace and restoring public confidence in governance,” he said.
Expressing concern over the rising moral decadence in society despite the proliferation of religious groups, Ibas urged church leaders to intensify efforts in mentoring youths, combating social vices such as cultism and drug abuse, and promoting environmental stewardship.
He assured the delegation that the state government would participate in the Niger Delta Synod’s 10th-anniversary celebrations and consider their requests.
In his remarks, Arikpo commended Ibas for maintaining peace, stabilising governance, and ensuring effective public service delivery in Rivers State.
Meanwhile, Ibas has charged newly sworn-in permanent secretaries to uphold the highest standards of accountability, due process, and policy execution in their roles as administrative leaders.
The administrator gave the charge on Thursday during the swearing-in ceremony of eight new Permanent Secretaries at the Executive Chambers of Government House, Port Harcourt.
The newly appointed Permanent Secretaries were: Imaonyani Roselin Ephraim-George, Dabite Sokari George, Soibitein Duke Harry, Lauretta Davies Dimkpa, Uche R. Ideozu, Jeremiah Egwu, Nicholas Iminabo Wokoma, and Vera Sam Dike.
The administrator showed teeth by appointing his own permanent secretaries other than the ones he met. It created a fuss of persons popping their heads up to be noticed.
Ibas emphasized that the stability of the public service, the clarity of policy direction, and the integrity of government operations depend on their leadership.
He noted that the retirement of experienced civil servants had created gaps in institutional memory and administrative efficiency, making their appointments both timely and strategic.
“Your emergence is critical at this time. You must promote peace through good governance by ensuring efficient service delivery. Your work must translate into tangible impacts that improve the daily lives of our citizens—moving beyond mere activity to measurable outcomes,” he stated.
The Administrator urged the new permanent secretaries to drive institutional reforms, embrace innovation and digital transformation, and eliminate inefficiencies in service delivery. He stressed the importance of inter-ministerial collaboration, fiscal discipline, and transparency in financial management.
“Government must function as one cohesive system working toward shared goals. You must ensure prudent use of public funds—every naira allocated must be accounted for. Be deliberate, transparent, and accountable in all financial matters,” he added.
He also called on them to challenge the status quo, foster a culture of excellence, and restore public confidence in governance through their actions.
The ceremony is said to mark a significant step in strengthening the administrative framework of Rivers State, with high expectations for improved service delivery and policy implementation.
Gives contractors marching orders
Solad angry at Rivers House of Assembly:
On a different note, the sole administrator Ibas, has expressed what his aides called deep disappointment over alleged slow pace of work at the Rivers State House of Assembly (RSHA) Complex project, describing the progress as “grossly abysmal” and falling far below expectations.
The Administrator made the remarks during an inspection tour of the project site along Moscow Road, Port Harcourt, on Friday, July 11, 2025. He is the one supervising work since he took over from Sim Fubara due to state of emergency. He had been commending the work and the pace. It is not clear what has led to turn of events under his watch, just like in most other projects including projects handled by the famous and tested Julius Berger.
He also inspected key sporting facilities, including the Yakubu Gowon Stadium, Elekahia, and the Alfred Diete-Spiff Sports Complex, to assess their readiness for hosting sporting events.
The vice admiral stated that the contractor’s performance was unacceptably slow, contrary to agreed timelines.
“On the performance level right now, I think the contractor needs to do more. And from the reports rendered by the consultants, they are not moving fast enough—and that is not good enough. I am not satisfied with what I have seen. The pace of work is far below acceptable standards, and this is simply not good enough,” he declared.
To address the delays, the Administrator issued a firm directive to the contractor to immediately intensify efforts and expedite work to meet the project’s deadline.
“This project is of strategic importance, and any further delays will not be tolerated. We must all commit to doing what is necessary to meet the expectations of the people,” he emphasized.
The administrator disclosed that he would summon the contractor for a crucial meeting to realign efforts and ensure all parties are fully committed to delivering the project promptly.
