You Were Chosen to Restore Order, Not to Enjoy Power, Ibas to Council Administrators

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By John Ollor Obe 

Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas (Rtd), the administrator of Rivers State, has urged the recently appointed administrators of the state's 23 local government areas to step up and understand the importance of the time they have been called to serve.  During a meeting on Friday, April 11, 2025, at Government House in Port Harcourt, Vice Admiral Ibas urged the appointees to act with a strong sense of accountability, transparency, and service dedication.

The state administrator, who was appointed after a state of emergency was declared in Rivers, emphasized that their performance would be evaluated according to their influence in important areas, such as environmental and sanitation management, primary healthcare, local government employee welfare and discipline, primary education, and youth engagement.  



He recalled his travels to a few LGAs since taking office, saying that his conversations with local government representatives had persuaded him of the necessity of selecting qualified individuals to assist in guiding the local administration within the emergency governance framework.  "Those seated here today were chosen by me as Administrators of the 23 Local Government Areas on April 7, 2025," he stated, emphasizing that their appointments were made on the basis of their qualifications, abilities, and proven dedication to public service.

Vice Admiral Ibas reminded the administrators of their solemn duty to do their separate councils' business with the utmost integrity and accountability.  He cautioned that carelessness, official abuse, or embezzlement of public monies would not be tolerated by the administration.  "Every project carried out, every policy put into place, and every kobo spent must have accountability and value for money," he said.

Insisting that the people of Rivers State should have access to openness and measurable outcomes from their local councils, he promised that procedures would be established to oversee adherence to due process and financial restraint.  The Administrator reaffirmed that restoring peace and stability, and eventually the complete restoration of democratic institutions in the state, is still the aim of his term.

John Ollor Obe

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