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Govt Compulsory Savings Hit N34bn
Rivers State Government, says it has saved about N34 billion for the state’s monthly N1 billion compulsory saving scheme started about three years ago.
The Commissioner for Finance, Dr Chamberlain Peterside disclosed this on Monday during an interaction with newsmen in Port Harcourt.
Dr Peterside explained that the state government spends about N8 billion monthly on salaries, pensions and overheads, stressing that with the dwindling allocation from the Federal Government, there was need to scale up efforts at Internally Generated Revenue (IGR).
He hinted that Rivers State had the potentials to generate about 50 per cent internally like Lagos State that generates about 70 per cent internally to augment its federal allocation.
The Finance Commissioner said the state internal revenue sources generate about 10 per cent and attributed the lapses to leakages in the system, noting that strategic plans had been put in place to halt the trend.
According to him, the Ministry of Finance had undergone transformation in line with the vision of the governor to be transparent and accountable, emphasising that the accounting system had been modernised to meet global best practices.
Dr Peterside hinted that the ministry had taken over the pay rolling of workers’ salary since June 2012, and commenced the issuance of pay slips to workers, adding that the computerised system of record keeping would help in detecting errors in the process.
On government borrowing, the commissioner debunked insinuations that Rivers State Government was broke, pointing out that the borrowing was to finance specific projects to completion level and not to pay workers salaries.
He said the state government operates a centralised fund system for all arms of government which helps in proper categorisation of liabilities, noting that fund releases start with budgetary provision and due process before payments are made.
“In course of harmonisation in the system, we discover that some people in say level 8 or 9 take the salary of grade level 13 or above, but all that has been corrected and we shall no more have such kind of fraud, we are trying but give us more time,” the finance boss said.
Also speaking, the Executive Chairman, Board of International Revenue, Mrs Onone Osila Obelle-Oshoko said the board was trying to rebuild the confidence of residents of the state to pay their taxes.
She noted that the old tax system in Rivers State allows 5 per cent of workers basic, that is not found in any law but the current tax regime is based on the Gross Income as contained in the amended Tax Law.
The chairman harped on the need to enlighten the public by giving the right information, emphasising that the state was endowed with potentials to increase internally generated revenue.
Meanwhile, the Rivers State Government has signed an agreement with a United States firm, International Trauma and Critical Care Centre Limited (ITCC) to recruit staff and manage two world class hospitals, Professor Kelson Harrison’s Hospital and Maxilo-Facia Hospital in Port Harcourt.
The Commissioner of Health, Dr Sampson Parker, who signed the agreement on behalf of the government with the group at the Ministry of Health in Port Harcourt, said the agreement was to hand over the operation and management of the two hospitals for effective management and maintaining international standards.
“Our vision to allow an experienced international firm to run the hospitals was not to have gain, but to have quality and standard healthcare that would discourage people from going overseas in search of standard treatment.
We carefully selected ITCC group, an international medical group from among the bidders internationally, as the best experience in hospital operation and management to run the hospitals to international standards, where people all over the world would be coming for medical care, this is exactly the vision of this government under Governor Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi”, Dr Parker explained.
The commissioner urged the firm led by the Country Representative, Dr Sydney Ibeanusi to ensure that the vision of the state governor, Rt. Hon Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi to have quality health care was achieved.
He said, though the hospital would be completely run by the firm, which also has the power to recruit, sack, maintain and manage the hospital, the state ministry of health through the Hospital Management Board, would be playing the supervisory role on the hospitals like any other hospitals in the state.
According to the Health Commissioner, the two hospitals built and equipped a year ago would be commissioned before January, 2013.
He said the Prof Kelson Hospital is situated at the former Niger Hospital, at Emenike Street, Mile II, Diobu, Port Harcourt while Dental Maxilo-Facia Hospital is at Aba-Road, Opposite Garrison in Port Harcourt.
Dr Parker further disclosed that the hospital would also accommodate free medical, as money would be paid by the state government to the management of the hospitals for any free medical treatment referred to them.
Signing the agreement with the state government, the representative of International Trauma and Critical Care Centre Limited (ITCC) and National Project Co-ordinator, Dr Sydney Ibeanusi commended the state government for its commitment to give the people of the state and the country an international quality healthcare facility.
According to him, ITCC firm was an articulate concept to partner with professionals around the world to see how it could give out an international quality healthcare to the developing countries around the globe as it was the practice in developed countries like Israel, Russia, Europe, America, among others.
Dr Ibeanusi who noted that Rivers State Government was the first to embrace the group in Nigeria, promised to ensure an available, accessible and sustainable international quality healthcare that would meet the vision of the state governor.
He said with the signing of the agreement, the two hospitals would be put into effective operation before January 2013.
The Rivers State Government has commended the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) for its outstanding contributions to the development of Rivers State, particularly in the areas of peacebuilding, education, healthcare, and moral development.
Governor of Rivers State, Siminalayi Fubara, stated that the Church has remained a dependable partner in promoting peace, unity, justice, moral discipline, and social harmony across society.
The Governor, who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Dagogo Wokoma, made the remarks during the thanksgiving service marking the 30th Anniversary and First Session of the 11th Synod of the Diocese of Niger Delta North, held at St. Peter’s Anglican Church on Sunday.
Governor Fubara described the Synod’s theme, “Kingdom Advancement: The Priority of Every Believer,” as timely and relevant, considering the prevailing realities in society.
According to him, the Church continues to play a vital role in shaping societal values and inspiring hope among citizens.
“The Church remains a vital partner in promoting peace, unity, justice, and moral discipline. Its role in shaping values and inspiring hope cannot be overemphasized,” he stated.
The Governor further acknowledged the Anglican Communion’s contributions in education, healthcare delivery, youth empowerment, humanitarian services, and spiritual guidance across communities in Rivers State.
“The Rivers State Government appreciates the invaluable contributions of the Anglican Communion in education, healthcare, youth development, humanitarian support, and spiritual guidance. Your impact across communities in Rivers State continues to strengthen families and promote peaceful coexistence among our people,” he added.
Governor Fubara reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to building a peaceful, united, and prosperous Rivers State where all citizens can thrive irrespective of religion, ethnicity, or social background.
He also urged the Synod to continue praying for sustainable development and progress in Rivers State and Nigeria at large.
Earlier in his sermon, the Guest Minister, Joseph Olushola, spoke on the topic, “Kingdom Investment and Internal Rewards,” urging Christians to remain faithful stewards of God’s blessings and committed to advancing God’s kingdom through service and generosity.
The cleric emphasized that believers are custodians of the virtues and resources entrusted to them by God, stressing that divine rewards are based on faithfulness and impact rather than material possessions.
The Shell Nigeria Gas Limited, in partnership with the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), has reaffirmed support for efforts to expand gas distribution infrastructure in Rivers State as part of initiatives aimed at improving access to affordable, cleaner and more reliable energy for industries across the South-South region.
The commitment was highlighted during the SNG–MAN Business Forum held in Port Harcourt, where stakeholders from the industrial and public sectors examined the role of natural gas in driving industrialisation, boosting local production and strengthening energy security.
Speaking at the forum on behalf of the Managing Director of Shell Nigeria Gas Limited, the company’s Head of Gas Distribution, Mr. Chukwuka Amos Ejesi, described natural gas as a critical component of Nigeria’s energy mix and a key driver of sustainable industrial growth.
According to him, Nigeria’s gas development agenda has reached a stage where policy direction must be matched with practical implementation capable of addressing the energy challenges confronting manufacturers.
He noted that pipeline gas offers industries a cleaner, more dependable and cost-effective energy alternative capable of supporting uninterrupted operations, reducing emissions and improving production efficiency.
“Gas is the backbone of manufacturing, and we are encouraged by the growing recognition among stakeholders of the need for cleaner and more reliable energy solutions,” he said.
Ejesi stressed the need for sustained collaboration among energy providers, government institutions and industrial stakeholders to maximise the country’s gas resources for economic development.
He added that improved gas infrastructure would strengthen manufacturing value chains, enhance productivity and promote more competitive industrial operations across Rivers State and the wider South-South region.
Participants at the forum also emphasised the importance of expanding energy infrastructure as a pathway to unlocking industrial capacity, reducing operating costs and promoting sustainable industrial development.
Representing Governor Siminalayi Fubara, the Director-General of the Rivers State Investment Promotion Agency, Dr. Chamberlain Peterside, reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to partnering with private sector investors to revitalise industrial activities in the state.
He identified key projects targeted under the initiative to include the revival of the Ahoada Industrial Park, the New Port City project and the proposed Bonny Industrial Park, all aimed at stimulating economic growth and expanding industrial opportunities along the Bonny corridor.
According to the governor, the long-term vision is to position Rivers State as a leading manufacturing hub in Southern Nigeria through strategic public-private partnerships.
Governor Fubara also commended Shell Nigeria Gas and MAN for sustaining engagements geared towards improving industrial energy access, noting that gas infrastructure development remains central to the state’s economic recovery plans.
He further observed that the gas sector presents enormous opportunities for economic growth, especially as global energy systems continue to shift towards cleaner energy sources.
The governor called on stakeholders to work collectively towards developing a practical and sustainable gas framework capable of supporting the state’s industrial and energy development objectives.
By; Kevin Nengia
Rivers State Deputy Governor, Prof. Ngozi Nma Odu, has charged newlywed couples to build their marriages on the virtues of love and submission as taught in the Word of God.
Prof. Odu gave the charge at the wedding ceremony of Amblessed Favour Sunny-Cookey and Samson Jesuganji at Lifegate Power Ministries, Dominion Cathedral, in Port Harcourt on Saturday, 16th May 2026.
The Deputy Governor congratulated the couple on beginning a new phase of life together and prayed for God’s blessings upon their union, noting that the couple had been raised by godly parents and encouraged them to uphold the Christian values instilled in them.
Referring to the sermon delivered during the ceremony, Prof. Odu emphasized that the principles of love and submission remain fundamental to a successful marriage.
According to her, genuine love reflects the nature of God, stressing that love should remain the foundation of the couple’s relationship as they journey through life together.
Prof. Odu further prayed for enduring peace, happiness, and progress in the home, expressing confidence that the marriage would continue to flourish under God’s guidance.
The Deputy Governor also commended the families of the couple for their support and upbringing, while urging the newlyweds to always remember the significance of the day and the commitment they had made before God and witnesses.
In his sermon at the wedding, the Founder and Presiding Pastor of Salvation Ministries, Pastor David Ibiyeomie, stated that marriage did not originate from Western culture, traditions, or human ideas, but from God, whom he described as the “manufacturer” of marriage.
According to the cleric, couples seeking lasting and peaceful homes must rely on biblical principles rather than societal trends or assumptions.
He explained that many marital crises and rising divorce rates stem from ignorance and failure to apply scriptural teachings in family life.
Drawing from the biblical parable of building a house on a rock, Pastor Ibiyeomie said the Word of God remains the only solid foundation capable of sustaining marriages through challenges and difficult times.
He noted that marriage naturally comes with unexpected realities and pressures, stressing that religious ceremonies or cultural practices alone are not enough to sustain a home without proper understanding of God’s instructions.
The pastor further warned that ignorance of scripture remains one of the greatest weapons against believers, urging Christians to study and practice the Word of God rather than merely attending church services.
It would be recalled that the bride is the daughter of Pastor Sunny Cookey the Founder and Presiding Pastor of Lifegate Ministries. The Ceremony had lots of Ministers in attendance which includes Apostle Zilly Aggrey, Pastor George Izunwa, and Bishop Winston Iwo