Governor Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers State confirmed that he found around ₦600 billion in the state’s coffers upon his return to office following the six-month period of emergency.
The governor underlined his administration’s commitment to financial discipline, emphasizing that judicious use of public resources is still vital to his leadership.
Martin Amaewhule, Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, previously revealed that Vice Admiral Ikot Ibas (rtd), the sole administrator under the emergency rule, left around ₦600 billion in the state’s coffers.
Fubara confirmed the amount while speaking at the inauguration of the 14.2-kilometer Obodhi-Ozochi Road, which connects settlements in the state’s Ahoada East and Ahoada West LGAs.
The governor stated that the state’s treasury had about ₦300 billion before the emergency rule, which had swelled to approximately ₦600 billion when he returned to office.
He promised that within six months, his government would offer clear and verifiable information on how public dollars are being spent.
“Today, I want to say to the whole world that during the emergency rule, our records are there. We left over ₦300 billion and something,” Fubara said.
“When we came back, we met about ₦600 billion and something. For every penny that we are spending, the records are there, and evidence will be shown between now and the next six months.
“So there should be no question about what we are doing with our money. At least, nobody can take away my sincerity and genuineness.”
The governor refuted common misconceptions about state finance management, attributing them in part to his administration’s predilection for completing projects without lavish public flag-off celebrations.
He mentioned that in addition to the projects that are now being commissioned, several other initiatives of substantial significance are underway throughout the state.
Fubara reiterated that his administration’s record on accountability and financial management remains good, claiming that all available resources are being used solely for the benefit of Rivers State and its people.
The governor said that the Obodhi-Ozochi Road project was launched by his predecessor, Nyesom Wike, as part of efforts to gather support for the 2023 general elections via a former lawmaker and his then Chief of Staff, Edison Ehie.
He stated that Ehie delivered on the project, necessitating not only the completion of the road but also its expansion beyond the initial concept.
According to him, the project was expanded by 4.2 km, bringing the overall length to 14.2 kilometers.
Fubara also authorized the community’s request to build internal roads and asked Edison Ehie to turn the enormous turnout at the commissioning event into long-term political support for President Bola Tinubu
![Rev. Fr. Anthony Odiong, a US-based Nigerian Louisiana Catholic priest, was arrested in Florida on Tuesday for possessing child pornography, according to law authorities. The suspect is reportedly accused of many other cases of sexual assault. The Waco, Texas, Police Department announced in a Facebook post on Tuesday that officers detained Father Anthony Odiong in Ave Maria, Florida, with assistance from the United States Marshals Service. Waco police announced in March that they had received "credible information" about a sexual assault allegedly committed by Odiong in Texas in 2012. “During the subsequent investigation, a case of possession of child pornography was uncovered,” the police said. The priest was apprehended in Florida by the Caribbean Regional Fugitive Task Force. The Waco Police Department said that he will be extradited to Texas. Odiong had previously served in the Archdiocese of New Orleans before being removed as priest in December of last year due to controversy over homilies in which he claimed, among other things, that the Catholic Church was being taken over by "the gays." At the time, the priest was also accused of abusive behaviour; a Louisiana lady claimed in U.S. bankruptcy court that Odiong had committed both financial and sexual abuse against her. Prior to joining the New Orleans Archdiocese, Odiong served in at least two Texas parishes. On Tuesday, Waco police stated that during their sexual assault investigation, "the presence of other survivors was revealed." “Multiple women have come forward to tell similar experiences as the sexual assault survivor who reported the initial allegation,” the police department said. “Survivors’ experiences ranged from sexual assault and indecent assault, more commonly recognised as groping, and financial abuse, with some survivors experiencing every element of Anthony Odiong’s manipulation.” The police said they “believe there may be more survivors, and we wish to speak with anyone who [has] had similar encounters” with the priest. The Archdiocese of New Orleans issued a brief news release on Tuesday noting Odiong's arrest in Florida. The archdiocese “encourages anyone with any information to contact law enforcement,” the release said.](https://chronicle.ng/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/ezgif-6-4730550ede-450x300.jpg "Odiong: US-based Nigerian Catholic priest convicted over sexual assault")
