Port Harcourt – The Sole Administrator of Rivers State, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (rtd), has directed the Heads of Local Government Administration (HLGAs) across the state’s 23 councils to submit detailed reports covering their activities over the past two years.
This directive, issued through a letter from the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Local Government Affairs, Dame Dr. Itong Awani, has reportedly unsettled local government officials due to its urgency and possible political implications.
State Government’s Directive
The letter, which became public on Wednesday, instructed HLGAs to submit their reports by March 26, 2025, to the Permanent Secretary’s office for onward transmission to the Sole Administrator at Government House, Port Harcourt.
The reports must include:
Introduction/Preamble
Functions of the Council
Number of Staff on Nominal Roll, categorized by cadre
Sources of Revenue Generation
Council Activities, including completed and ongoing projects over the past two years
Key Achievements
Challenges Faced
Recommendations for improving local government administration
Political Tensions Surrounding the Directive
This directive comes amid political uncertainty in Rivers State following the Supreme Court’s nullification of the October 2024 local government elections. In response to that ruling, suspended Governor Siminialayi Fubara had earlier instructed HLGAs to take over the administration of the councils.
Now, the state government’s request for these reports is seen as a move to assess local government operations and possibly reshape governance at the grassroots level.
What’s Next?
With the submission deadline fast approaching, political observers believe this directive could have significant implications for local government administration and governance in Rivers State.
Stay updated with TheWatch.NG for more developments on this story.
