The Rivers State government has announced a significant reduction in its August salary bill, saving ₦5 billion after a comprehensive staff verification exercise. Retired Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas, the Sole Administrator of Rivers State, made this disclosure at the 2025 Civil Service Week grand finale held in Port Harcourt.
According to Ibas, the exercise aimed to distinguish genuine staff from impostors on the payroll, resulting in the recovery of ₦5 billion. These funds will be redirected to critical infrastructure and social projects to accelerate sustainable development in the state. The Administrator emphasized the importance of fiscal responsibility, stating that the saved funds will be strategically invested in projects that directly benefit the people of Rivers State.
The event, themed “Five Years to 2030: Accelerating Public Service Delivery for a Sustainable Future,” also highlighted the new reform agenda for the state civil service. Key reforms announced include an enhanced welfare package, featuring an upward review of salaries and allowances for Heads of Ministries, Departments, and Agencies, as well as the introduction of a new minimum wage at the local government level.
Additionally, the government plans to implement large-scale training programs for finance and accounting officers, increase monthly pension allocations, and enroll all pensioners in the state’s contributory health scheme. The reform agenda also includes mandatory enrollment of all civil servants in the contributory health protection program and the rollout of a Group Life Insurance policy.
The Acting Head of Service, Dr. Inyingi Brown, unveiled the new Rivers State Civil Service Handbook and the maiden edition of The Bureaucrat magazine, introducing a new pledge, vision, and mission statement for the service. The Administrator pledged his administration’s commitment to transparency, accountability, and excellence in governance, emphasizing the importance of technology in building a responsive and efficient workforce.
The reforms announced by the Rivers State government aim to improve the overall efficiency and effectiveness of the state’s civil service, ensuring that resources are utilized optimally to drive sustainable development. With the saved funds being redirected to critical projects, the state is poised to make significant progress in accelerating public service delivery and achieving a sustainable future.
