₦5 Billion Saved! Rivers Accountant-General Ibas Reveals How He Cut August Salary Bill

Rivers State Sole Administrator, Vice-Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (retd.), has disclosed that his administration saved ₦5 billion from the state’s August salary bill following a comprehensive staff verification exercise.

Speaking on Tuesday at the grand finale of the 2025 Civil Service Week Celebration, held at the Dr. Obi Wali International Conference Centre in Port Harcourt, Ibas explained that the verification uncovered and removed ghost workers and impostors from the state payroll.

He assured that the recovered funds would be redirected into key developmental projects and programmes aimed at improving the lives of Rivers residents.

“This verification exercise has helped us separate genuine staff from impostors on the payroll. The ₦5 billion saved is not just a statistic but proof of our commitment to accountability and fiscal discipline. These funds will now be invested in infrastructure and social projects to drive sustainable development in Rivers State,” Ibas said.

A statement from the Senior Special Adviser on Media to the Rivers State Government, Hector Igbikiowubo, noted that the event — themed “Five Years to 2030: Accelerating Public Service Delivery for a Sustainable Future” — also honoured civil servants, whom Ibas described as “the backbone of this administration and our unsung heroes.”

The Administrator further unveiled ongoing reforms to reposition the state’s civil service, including improved welfare packages, an upward review of salaries and allowances for Heads of Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) to close the gap with political appointees, as well as the implementation of a new ₦85,000 minimum wage at the local government level.