Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has announced a significant milestone, reporting an impressive increase of over 100% in the state’s monthly Internally Generated Revenue (IGR).
Governor Fubara disclosed that the IGR has risen from approximately N11 billion during the previous administration to between N26 and N27 billion within just one year of his tenure.
He made this revelation during his address to members of the House of Representatives Committee on Public Accounts, who visited him at the Government House in Port Harcourt. The committee was there to commend his government for hosting their retreat.
Expressing gratitude to the Reps Committee for selecting Rivers as the venue for their retreat, Governor Fubara pledged to allocate the increased revenue primarily to sectors such as agriculture, education, and healthcare.
He emphasized that their visit has helped challenge negative perceptions about the state and reaffirmed his commitment to good governance despite the prevailing political crisis.
Governor Fubara highlighted some of his administration’s achievements, including the promotion of over 52,000 civil servants in the state who had been stagnant for 11 years, resulting in an increase in the wage bill.
He reiterated his administration’s commitment to combating social vices through education and job creation.
Having served as the Accountant General of Rivers State from January 2020 until assuming office as Governor in May 2023, Fubara stressed his dedication to transparency and accountability in managing state resources.
He noted that the majority of his administration’s projects have been funded through the IGR without resorting to borrowing.
Fubara underscored the importance of maintaining a strong relationship with the House of Representatives Committee on Public Accounts to uphold the state’s solid financial record.
Addressing the political crisis in Rivers State, Governor Fubara commended his Deputy, Ngozi Odu, for supporting him and declining an offer to replace him when internal opposition within their party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), attempted to unseat him.
He urged federal lawmakers to prioritize integrity, as the nation stands at a crossroads, and attributed his victory to his unwavering integrity.
The House of Representatives Committee on Public Accounts, led by chairman Bamidele Salam, stated that the retreat in Port Harcourt aimed to review their objectives on public accountability.
Salam explained that they selected Rivers State due to its peaceful environment and the presence of a governor who truly understands the essence of governance.
He commended Governor Fubara for his focused efforts in delivering good governance despite facing political challenges.
The committee chairman acknowledged some of Fubara’s achievements, including the blocking of public resource leakages and the construction of several vital roads, among others.
He suggested that Rivers State could serve as a model for other states to emulate.
