Rivers State Administrator, Vice-Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (retd) has given a two-week ultimatum to the 23 local government area administrators to submit their developmental plans.
It was gathered that Ibas gave the directive in anticipation of the passage of the Rivers N1.48 trillion Appropriation Bill submitted on Thursday to the National Assembly by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
The appropriation bill, referred to as a comprehensive financial plan for Rivers, was designed to tackle critical sectors, particularly infrastructure, education, health and agriculture.
The bill was said to have set aside N324bn for infrastructural development, N166bn for education and N75bn for education, agriculture and social welfare.
Against the backdrop of the budget, Ibas ordered LGA administrators to submit their developmental plans for implementation.
He gave the directive at the closing ceremony of the four-day transformational leadership training workshop, organised by the Rivers State Government in conjunction with the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS).
The event was designed for permanent secretaries, local government administrators, senior officers and directors of various ministries in Port Harcourt.
He asked the councils’ administrators to channel the knowledge and skills they acquired at the workshop to their domains by responding to the needs of the teaming population at the grassroots.
He said: “To deliver the greatest impact, a careful needs assessment, planning, budgeting and deliberate efforts at monitoring and evaluation are essential.
“I, therefore, charge you all to go back to your various local government areas and draw up strategic plans for targeted high-impact projects and initiatives that are based on the specific needs of the communities you serve and send to me within two weeks from today, for consideration and approval”.
Ibas also ordered the auditor-general to closely monitor the activities of the LGA administrators, especially in the area of application of funds released to them.
He said: “Furthermore, the Auditor-General will be fully empowered to monitor closely, the application of the resources that are being remitted to the various Local Government Councils.
“The people of Rivers State must get value for every kobo provided. My dear colleagues, public service is not a job.
“It is a calling. It demands discipline, integrity, and vision. And while today’s challenges may be daunting, we must always keep our eyes on the future we hope to shape.
“Let us serve not for applause, but for legacy. Let us act not just for today’s convenience, but for tomorrow’s prosperity. You all have my full support and my deep respect.
“Let the knowledge gained here inspire not simply better decisions, but better outcomes for the people of Rivers State”.
Ibas further vowed to carry out rehabilitation of the state’s secretariat in phases, lamenting the poor condition of the workers’ environment.
He said: “As we focus on personal growth and institutional reform, we must also reckon with the environment within which our people serve. During a recent inspection of the State Secretariat, I deliberately took the long walk, floor by floor, to see firsthand the conditions under which our officers work.
“From erratic power supply, non-functional elevators, unsanitary conditions, to the lack of work tools, it was a sobering experience. We cannot demand excellence from our workforce while neglecting the very basics.
“To this end, I am pleased to inform you that we are working towards the phased rehabilitation of the State Secretariat and other public infrastructure critical to effective service delivery.
“God willing, I will ensure that your work environment reflects the respect and dignity your service deserves. We are also reviewing other aspects of service welfare necessary to be addressed.”
He said his administration was determined to make feasible improvements that would support workers’ welfare and create a healthier work culture”.
