Rivers State Local Government Report: Sole Administrator Orders Councils to Submit Two-Year Activity Reports

By CHUKWUMA OFILLI

HLGAs of 23 Councils in Rivers State to Submit Local Government Reports

The Rivers State Local Government Report process has been set in motion as the Sole Administrator, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (rtd), has issued a directive requiring Heads of Local Government Areas (HLGAs) across the 23 councils in the state to submit detailed reports on their activities over the past two years.

The order, made public on Wednesday, has unsettled local government officials, given its urgency and political implications. The directive mandates local government administrators to provide a comprehensive account of their councils’ operations, including finances, projects, and challenges, in what is now referred to as the Rivers State Local Government Report submission.

Political Context: Supreme Court Ruling and Rivers State Local Government Report Submission

The demand for the Local Government Report follows the Supreme Court’s judgment that nullified the 2024 local government elections in Rivers State. In response to the ruling, suspended Governor Siminialayi Fubara had directed HLGAs to take over the administration of the councils. However, with the Sole Administrator now at the helm, the latest directive appears to be an effort to assess local government performance and potentially implement further governance reforms.

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Details of the Rivers State Local Government Report Directive

The directive was communicated in a letter signed by Dame Dr. Itong Awani, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Local Government Affairs. It requires all HLGAs to submit their Local Government Report on or before Wednesday, March 26, 2025, for onward transmission to the Sole Administrator’s office at Government House, Port Harcourt.

Structured Format for Rivers State Local Government Report Submission

The Local Government Report must follow a structured format, covering:

• Introduction/Preamble – Overview of the local government’s administration
• Functions of the Council – Responsibilities and activities performed
• Number of Staff on Nominal Roll – Breakdown of workforce categorized by cadre
• Sources of Revenue Generation – How the council generates and manages funds
• Activities of the Council – Ongoing and completed projects in the last two years
• Achievements of the Council – Key successes and initiatives
• Challenges Faced by the Local Government – Problems affecting service delivery
• Recommendations to the Sole Administrator – Suggested solutions and policies to enhance local government performance

This structured format ensures transparency and accountability in the Local Government Report submission process, providing a clear assessment of local governance performance over the last two years.

Concerns Over the Urgency of Rivers State Local Government Report Submission

The sudden urgency of the Rivers State Local Government Report submission has sparked concern among HLGAs and political observers. Some local government officials worry that this move could be a precursor to major administrative changes in the state.

Political analysts suggest that the Local Government Report directive could lead to leadership restructuring at the local government level, depending on the findings from the submitted reports.

Implications of Rivers State Local Government Report on Governance

The State Local Government Report submissions will play a crucial role in shaping local government administration in Rivers State. If the reports reveal administrative inefficiencies or mismanagement, the Sole Administrator may introduce new policies or personnel changes.

Additionally, this development is being closely monitored by political stakeholders, civil society organizations, and governance experts, who are interested in how the state government will manage local councils post-election annulment.

What Happens Next in the Rivers State Local Government Report Process?

As the March 26 deadline approaches, the focus is on how the Sole Administrator will respond to the Rivers State Local Government Report submissions. Some key questions remain:

• Will local government leadership undergo changes based on the reports?
• Will new policies be introduced to improve governance and service delivery at the council level?
• What measures will be taken to address governance challenges identified in the reports?

Observers believe that the outcome of this directive will set the tone for the future of local governance in Rivers State and determine whether further administrative restructuring will follow.

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