The Rivers State Administrator, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (retd.), says political stability is steadily returning to the state through inclusive dialogue and non-partisan consultations with key stakeholders.
Ibas stated this on Thursday when he received the House of Representatives Ad-Hoc Committee on Emergency Rule Implementation, led by Prof. Julius Ihonvbere, at the Government House in Port Harcourt.
President Bola Tinubu had on March 18 declared a state of emergency in Rivers State, suspending Governor Siminalayi Fubara and the members of the state House of Assembly for six months.
He appointed Ibas as sole administrator to run the state.
In a statement on Thursday by his Senior Special Adviser on Media, Hector Igbikiowubo, the administrator said reconciliation efforts and the willingness of political actors to collaborate had laid the groundwork for lasting peace.
“I am pleased that, God willing, we have put major differences behind us,” he said, crediting President Tinubu with playing a pivotal role in facilitating the peace process.
Ibas outlined ongoing reforms in the state, including leadership training and adjustments to the civil service salary structure, as well as a historic biometric verification of staff and pensioners to enhance transparency.
He said his administration had cleared long-standing arrears owed to health workers, streamlined pension payments—now made directly to beneficiaries—and introduced free health insurance for all state pensioners under the revitalized RIVCHIPP scheme, with mandatory enrolment for civil servants.
The administrator commended the improved cooperation between communities and security agencies, which he said had helped reduce cultism, kidnapping, and vandalism of infrastructure.
He also announced plans to deploy a critical infrastructure surveillance system to boost security and enable early threat detection across the state.
On the Port Harcourt Ring Road Project, Ibas expressed dissatisfaction with the contractor’s performance, describing it as “regrettable.” Despite receiving 77 per cent mobilisation—amounting to N150bn out of the N195bn contract sum—he said the project remains largely unexecuted.
Worse still, he revealed, the contractor has requested an 87 per cent variation, which could inflate the total cost to N367bn.
“A team of professionals has completed a comprehensive review, and it is clear Rivers State has received the short end of the stick,” Ibas said. “Engagements with the contractor will begin in the coming days, and based on the outcome, we will determine the next steps. Our resources must be judiciously used. Contractors must honour lawful agreements and terms. There will be consequences.”
In his remarks, Ihonvbere said the committee’s visit was aimed at assessing ongoing projects, understanding governance challenges, and engaging stakeholders.
“We will be here for the next two days to engage with relevant stakeholders,” he stated. “You, your administration, and those of us here share the same purpose—to ensure good governance, enduring peace, and value for every kobo spent in Rivers State.”
