Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has disclosed that his administration met more than N600 billion in the state’s coffers after the period of emergency rule, insisting that public funds under his watch are being managed prudently and transparently.
Fubara said he left about N300 billion in government accounts before President Bola Tinubu declared emergency rule in the state, stressing that official records clearly support his claim.
The governor spoke on Wednesday at the commissioning of the 14.2-kilometre Obodhi–Ozochi Road linking Ahoada East and Ahoada West Local Government Areas.
His comments followed recent criticisms from the Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Martin Amaewhule, who raised concerns over the state of public schools and questioned how funds left behind after the emergency rule were being utilised.
Amaewhule had earlier stated during plenary that the immediate past Sole Administrator, Rear Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (retd.), handed over more than N600 billion when emergency rule was lifted.
He also decried the poor condition of Township State School 1 along Moscow Road, Port Harcourt, noting the absence of basic facilities such as toilets despite the school’s proximity to Government House.
The Speaker made the remarks while responding to a report by the House Committee on Education, chaired by Aforji Igwe, following an inspection of the school.
He queried the state government’s spending priorities, a development that appeared to revive tensions between the executive and legislative arms.
Responding indirectly, Fubara said all state funds were being deployed responsibly and that his administration’s financial records were open to scrutiny.
“I want to say to the whole world that when we left during the emergency rule, our records were intact. We left over N300 billion, and when we returned, we met about N600 billion and more,” the governor said.
He added that no allegations of misconduct could be linked to him, assuring residents that details of government spending would be made available and verifiable.
Fubara promised that within six months, his administration would present clear evidence of how public funds were being utilised.
He explained that some criticisms stemmed from his government’s preference for completing projects before commissioning them, rather than engaging in elaborate flag-off ceremonies.
“We don’t believe in fluffing off projects. We believe in commissioning them,” he said, adding that several impactful projects were ongoing across the state.
On the Obodhi–Ozochi Road, the governor noted that the project was initiated under his predecessor, Nyesom Wike, as part of preparations for the 2023 general elections through a former lawmaker and then Chief of Staff, Edison Ehie.
He said his administration not only completed the project but expanded its scope.
Fubara also approved the community’s request for additional internal roads and urged Ehie to mobilise the large crowd at the event in support of President Bola Tinubu ahead of the 2027 elections.
“This crowd I’m seeing should be translated into the support we will give to Mr President come 2027,” the governor said.
