The Administrator of Rivers State, Vice Admiral (Rtd) Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas, has tasked newly inaugurated boards and agencies to deliver on their mandates with integrity, innovation, and urgency.
Speaking at the inauguration ceremony held on Friday at the Executive Chamber of Government House, Port Harcourt, Ibas said the appointments must translate into measurable progress across the state.
“This is a call to duty,” he declared. “You are here not to fill seats but to lead boldly, professionally, and transparently.”
The boards inaugurated include the Rivers State Universal Basic Education Board, Senior Secondary Schools Board, Internal Revenue Service Board, Microfinance Agency, Contributory Health Protection Programme Board, Rivers State University Teaching Hospital Board, and the Waste Management Agency.
On education, the Administrator charged the Universal Basic Education and Senior Secondary Schools Boards to tackle overcrowded classrooms, improve infrastructure, enforce teacher discipline, and address declining standards. He directed them to establish tracking systems for enrollment, teacher deployment, and performance, while also engaging in field monitoring beyond Port Harcourt.
Regarding economic reforms, Ibas said Rivers State must reduce its reliance on federal allocations. He directed the Internal Revenue Service Board to modernise tax administration, block leakages, expand the tax net, and ensure fairness in collections.
To the Microfinance Agency, he stressed the need to empower small businesses and entrepreneurs by making credit accessible to those driving the informal economy.
On health, the Administrator tasked the Contributory Health Protection Programme Board to prioritise affordable care for vulnerable groups, while directing the University Teaching Hospital Board to strengthen specialist care and medical training.
Addressing the Waste Management Agency, Ibas described waste control as critical to public safety and environmental protection. He revealed that the government had invested in modern equipment and access roads to landfill sites, urging the board to explore innovative waste-to-value initiatives.
“Dumping refuse indiscriminately on streets and drains is a crime against ourselves and our future,” he warned. “Lead with integrity. Act with urgency. Think boldly. Rivers State is watching and expecting results.”
The ceremony also featured the formal unveiling of the names of newly appointed chairmen and members of the respective boards.
