In a significant administrative move, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas, the Sole Administrator of Rivers State, Nigeria, has mandated the Heads of Local Government Administration (HLGA) across the state’s 23 local government areas to submit comprehensive reports detailing their respective councils’ activities. This directive, communicated through a formal letter dated March 24, 2025, and signed by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Local Government Affairs, Itong Awani, requires the HLGAs to submit their reports to the Permanent Secretary by March 26, 2025. The request for these reports comes in the wake of the suspension of Governor Siminalayi Fubara and the subsequent appointment of Ibas as Sole Administrator, signaling a move towards greater oversight and accountability within the local government administrations.
The directive outlines a specific format for the reports, encompassing a wide array of information crucial for evaluating the performance and financial standing of the local councils. The required information includes an introductory preamble, a detailed description of the council’s functions, a comprehensive list of staff members categorized by cadre, and an overview of the sources of revenue generation within each LGA. This detailed breakdown aims to provide a transparent view of the councils’ operations, staffing, and financial health.
Furthermore, the HLGAs are required to provide an account of the council’s activities, including ongoing and completed projects undertaken within the past two years. This retrospective analysis aims to assess the progress and impact of local government initiatives. The reports should also highlight the councils’ achievements, outline the challenges encountered, and propose recommendations for improvement. This comprehensive reporting structure is designed to facilitate a thorough evaluation of the councils’ performance and identify areas for potential growth and development.
The urgency of this directive, emphasized in the letter, underscores the Sole Administrator’s commitment to swiftly gaining a comprehensive understanding of the state of affairs within the local governments. This rapid assessment will likely inform future policy decisions and resource allocation strategies. The directive comes after the Supreme Court nullified the local government elections conducted by the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) in 2024, leading to the handover of power from elected chairmen to the appointed HLGAs.
The Supreme Court’s invalidation of the 2024 local government elections necessitated the appointment of HLGAs by the then-Governor Fubara, replacing the previously elected local government chairmen. This legal intervention disrupted the established local governance structure and prompted a transition period. The Sole Administrator’s call for detailed reports from the HLGAs can be seen as a crucial step in ensuring continuity and accountability in local governance during this transitional phase.
Prior to the appointment of Vice Admiral Ibas as Sole Administrator and the subsequent suspension of Governor Fubara, RSIEC had scheduled fresh local government elections for August 9, 2025, following consultations with political parties and stakeholders. This planned electoral process aimed to restore democratically elected leadership to the local government areas. However, the current directive for comprehensive reports from the HLGAs suggests a shift in priorities, emphasizing the need for immediate assessment and oversight of local government operations before potentially proceeding with new elections. This strategic move aims to ensure stability and accountability within the local government system while navigating the complexities arising from the nullified elections and the change in leadership at the state level.
