Governor Fubara dissolves Rivers State Pensions Board, directs Accountant General to oversee pension duties until a new board is set up for retirees’ welfare.
The Rivers State Government has announced the immediate dissolution of the Rivers State Pensions Board, signaling a major shake-up in the administration of pensions and retirees’ welfare.
Governor Siminalayi Fubara made the decision known through a statement issued in Port Harcourt on Friday evening by the State Head of Service, Mrs. Inyingi Brown.
According to the directive, the Office of the Accountant General will take over the duties of the dissolved board until a new one is constituted.
Members of the former board have been instructed to hand over all official documents, properties, and assets in their possession to the Director of Administration without delay.
The official notice emphasized continuity in pension management despite the dissolution.
It read: “The Executive Governor of Rivers State, His Excellency, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has approved the immediate dissolution of the Rivers State Pensions Board.
“Consequently, the Office of the Accountant General of Rivers State, henceforth, will handle the functions of the Board.
“Members of the defunct board are by this notice advised to hand over all properties and assets of the board in their possession to the Director of Administration of the Board.
CHis Excellency, the Executive Governor, will in due course constitute a new board to manage the affairs of pensions.”
While the statement did not specify the reasons for the dissolution, the governor assured that pension administration would continue without disruption.
The dissolved pensions board was inaugurated on September 12 under the leadership of Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (retd.), who served briefly as Sole Administrator of the state.
At its inauguration, Ibas had charged the members with addressing the state’s long-standing pension challenges, clearing outstanding arrears, and restoring the confidence of retirees.
The board was expected to introduce efficiency and transparency into pension management.
Its sudden dissolution has therefore raised questions about what went wrong and why the administration felt it necessary to act so quickly.
For years, retirees in Rivers State have voiced frustrations over unpaid gratuities, irregular pension disbursements, and bureaucratic hurdles that delay access to entitlements.
On several occasions, pensioners have staged protests in Port Harcourt, demanding urgent solutions.
The creation of the Rivers State Pensions Board was widely viewed as a step toward addressing these problems.
With its dissolution, many retirees are concerned that their hopes for stability may once again be delayed. Others, however, believe the move could usher in a more competent board with fresh energy to resolve the crisis.
Assigning pension matters to the Office of the Accountant General is seen as a stopgap measure.
While it guarantees that payments and administrative processes will not be abandoned, the office already manages several other critical financial duties for the Rivers State government. Stakeholders worry this extra responsibility could stretch its capacity.
Supporters of the governor’s decision argue that dissolving the board reflects his determination to reform state institutions.
In their view, Fubara is setting a standard that only effective and accountable agencies will remain in operation.
The announcement has generated mixed reactions among stakeholders. Some civil servants and pensioners expressed disappointment, fearing delays in resolving outstanding pension arrears.
Others welcomed the governor’s bold step, hoping it would lead to a stronger, better-structured board.
Policy watchers believe the dissolution fits into Governor Fubara’s wider reform agenda. Since assuming office, he has moved to restructure several arms of the Rivers State government, emphasizing transparency and efficiency.
Pension administration remains a difficult issue across Nigeria. Many states are battling backlogs of unpaid entitlements, limited funds, and weak institutional frameworks.
In Rivers State, the challenge is even more pressing due to its large workforce and economic importance.
By dissolving the Rivers State Pensions Board, Governor Fubara may be signaling an intention to reset the system completely and build a stronger, more reliable structure for retirees.
Governor Fubara has pledged to constitute a new pensions board “in due course.” Stakeholders are now eager to see who will be appointed and how soon.
Retirees are particularly hopeful that the governor will bring in seasoned administrators and professionals who can deliver reforms, clear outstanding liabilities, and introduce a more humane and transparent process.
For now, all eyes are on the Office of the Accountant General, which must ensure that pension payments and services continue smoothly during this transition period.
The dissolution of the Rivers State Pensions Board may have created short-term uncertainty, but it also offers a chance to rebuild the state’s pension system on stronger foundations.
Governor Fubara’s next steps will determine whether this bold action restores confidence among retirees or deepens existing frustrations.
As Rivers State moves forward, pensioners are watching closely. For them, the most important outcome is simple: prompt and reliable payment of their entitlements after years of dedicated service to the state.
