Rivers State governor, Siminalayi Fubara says the Internally Generated Revenue of the state has increased from about N13 billion to N27 billion.
Governor, Fubara said this when the leadership and members of the Nigerian House of Representatives Public Accounts Committee led by its chairman, Bamidele Salam paid him a courtesy visit at Government House in Port Harcourt on Friday.
According to him, the increase is due to the conducive business climate for investors.
He said: “When I was informed of this event, I did not hesitate to give my approval because as an accountant I know what it means to have an interactive session with public accounts committee.
“Let me do a little background. When I was appointed as the Accountant General of the state, from the moment I assumed that position, on the 1st January 2020, the position of our State changed.
“We started recording the best reporting of accounting report in Nigeria. Hope you’re aware? You can go and check.
“Our records improved. We have nothing to hide because we understand the numbers and the presentations were very clear to everybody.
“So, what does it reflect? It means that you’re not afraid, transparency is there, accountability speaks when you are reportings are in order.
“It shows judicious use of resources without fear, honestly. When you are reporting it shows that, look, your records are in order and those were the services we rendered to the immediate past administration.
“So, when we came on board, on our own, knowing fully well that this is what we know how to do best, it is proper for us to have a better relationship, a closer ties with this committee.
“So, I said please, protocol do everything you need to do to give them the best and if they’re coming no matter how tight my schedule would be, I will still have want to have, even if it is 5 minutes with them.
“So, I’m happy to see you this afternoon, to say thank you to you. The news about Rivers State has always been, from the other side, negative stories.
“In fact, some people would tell you that the people who stay in government house now are militants.
“But I’m happy that when you got in here you saw how decent this place is. Yes, that the truth and we need to encourage more of this visitation so that when you go back, you will now tell the people the true story of Rivers.
“No matter the challenges we are facing today, our eyes will still be on the ball. We will not lose focus.
“We have promised our people that our government will be government of the people. We care for the people.
“The people are the most important aspect to us. When you have the people, you have everything. It doesn’t matter the high and mighty, the number of policemen that you carry around.
“The people are most important. Because the people are the ones who in their subunits control people who are the end control other people and at the end make the decision when the time comes.
“It is not the policemen. It is not the army. It is not the escort. It is the people. So, our concern is the people.
