Rivers State Administrator Inaugurates New Commission Boards, Urges Integrity and Competence
Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (retd), the Sole Administrator of Rivers State, on Monday inaugurated the newly reconstituted boards of several key state commissions, including the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC), at a ceremony held at Government House, Port Harcourt. The event marks a significant step toward stabilizing governance and strengthening democratic institutions in the state following the imposition of emergency rule.
The inaugurated boards include the Rivers State Civil Service Commission, Rivers State Local Government Service Commission, and Rivers State Primary Health Care Management Board. Members were nominated by the administrator and screened by the National Assembly.
In his address, Ibas charged the appointees to uphold discipline, competence, integrity, and a commitment to service, emphasizing their critical role in promoting good governance. He particularly urged RSIEC to conduct credible, transparent, and unbiased local government elections to restore public confidence in the electoral process.
“Your task is to ensure free, fair, and credible elections at the grassroots level, resisting bias, favoritism, and external interference,” Ibas told RSIEC members. “Your independence is vital to sustaining peace, stability, and grassroots governance.”
For the Civil Service Commission, Ibas called for an end to mediocrity, advocating merit-based recruitment, capacity building, and digital transformation to enhance accountability and efficiency across state ministries and agencies. He noted that comprehensive training and systemic reforms are already underway.
The Local Government Service Commission was tasked with professionalizing the local government system through merit-based recruitment, training, and standardized practices to improve service delivery. Ibas stressed the importance of insulating the system from political interference.
Addressing the Primary Health Care Management Board, the administrator emphasized revitalizing healthcare services across the state’s 23 local government areas. He highlighted priorities such as maternal health, immunization, malaria control, and community health services, alongside data-driven management and incentives for rural health workers.
Ibas pledged sustained government support, including funding, for the commissions but warned that their performance would be closely monitored. “You will be held strictly accountable for delivering on your mandates,” he stated.
The inaugurations signal a renewed focus on governance reforms in Rivers State amid ongoing efforts to restore stability and public trust in state institutions.
