Rivers State Saves ₦5 Billion After Staff Verification Exercise

The Rivers State government announced a substantial 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, disclosed the savings at the 2025 Civil Service Week grand finale in Port Harcourt. The verification aimed to separate genuine staff from impostors on the payroll, resulting in the recovery of ₦5 billion, which will be redirected to critical infrastructure and social projects to accelerate sustainable development in the state.

The Administrator emphasized 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 a new reform agenda for the state civil service. Key reforms include an enhanced welfare package with upward reviews of salaries and allowances for heads of ministries, departments, and agencies, and the introduction of a new minimum wage at the local government level.

Further initiatives involve large‑scale training programs for finance and accounting officers, increased monthly pension allocations, and enrollment of all pensioners in the state’s contributory health scheme. Mandatory enrollment of all civil servants in the contributory health protection program and the rollout of a Group Life Insurance policy were also announced.

Acting Head of Service Dr. Inyingi Brown unveiled the new Rivers State Civil Service Handbook and the inaugural 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.

These reforms aim to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the state’s civil service, ensuring optimal use of resources to drive sustainable development. With the saved funds redirected to critical projects, Rivers State is poised to make significant progress in accelerating public service delivery and achieving a sustainable future.