Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has said he left over N300bn in the state’s coffers before President Bola Tinubu declared emergency rule in the state, adding that on his return he met more than N600bn.
The governor reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to financial discipline, insisting that prudent management of public resources remains central to his leadership.
Fubara made the disclosure on Wednesday during the inauguration of the 14.2-kilometre Obodhi-Ozochi Road linking Ahoada East and Ahoada West Local Government Areas of the state.
His remarks followed recent comments by the Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Martin Amaewhule, who disclosed during plenary that the immediate past Rivers Administrator, Rear Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (retd.), left over N600bn in the state coffers after the emergency rule was lifted.
Amaewhule had also criticised the governor over the poor condition of public schools in the state, citing Township State School 1 along Moscow Road, Port Harcourt, which he said lacked basic facilities such as toilets despite its proximity to Government House.
The Speaker spoke while reacting to a report presented by the Chairman of the House Committee on Education, Aforji Igwe, following an oversight visit to the school.
He questioned how funds left by the former administrator were being utilised, a remark that reignited tensions between the executive and legislative arms of government.
In a veiled response on Wednesday, Fubara assured that all state funds were being judiciously deployed for development, stressing that expenditure records were available for scrutiny.
“Today, I want to say to the whole world that when we left during the emergency rule, our records are there — we left over N300bn. When we came back, we met about N600bn and something,” the governor said.
“If there is one thing I am proud of, it is that nobody can associate me with anything bad. Your money and the records of how your money is being spent are intact. We have very strong projects ongoing across the state.”
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