Fubara defends LG payroll clean-up, says politics won’t influence exercise

Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara defended his administration's decision to conduct a thorough payroll verification exercise aimed at identifying "ghost" workers in the state's 23 local government areas. Speaking on Monday during the commissioning of the Omademe Internal Roads Project in Ikwerre Local Government Area, Fubara emphasized the administration's commitment to fiscal discipline within the public service.

The governor stated that the issue of inflated local government salaries had been an ongoing challenge prior to his administration and needed immediate attention. Prior to assuming office, the Local Government Service Commission had been addressing the issue, but after the emergency rule period, Fubara ensured a new commission would tackle the problem head-on.

As a former Treasury Officer, Fubara brought his experience to the table and enlisted the help of ICT personnel to manage the committee overseeing the payroll verification exercise. Fubara assured that the committee would remain objective and free from political influence, regardless of the individuals involved. He emphasized that everyone in the state is a Rivers person and urged everyone to focus on facts rather than political considerations.

The governor also highlighted the Omademe road project as part of his administration's efforts to improve rural communities and enhance economic activities. The project, awarded to Setraco Construction Limited in February 2024, involves the construction of 10 internal roads totaling approximately 8.6 kilometers, complete with drainage systems to prevent flooding.

Ikwerre Local Government Area Chairman Charles Wobodo commended the governor for the infrastructure but requested additional road projects to expand the local road network.