Fubara Dissolves Rivers State Pensions Board

Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has ordered the immediate dissolution of the Rivers State Pensions Board in what analysts are calling his first major administrative shake-up since the end of the six-month emergency rule in the state.

The announcement was made on Friday in an official statement issued by the Head of Service, Dr. (Mrs.) Inyingi Brown. According to the statement, the functions of the now-dissolved board will be temporarily handled by the Office of the Accountant General of Rivers State until a new board is constituted.

Governor’s First Major Post-Emergency Rule Decision

Governor Fubara further instructed all members of the defunct board to hand over properties, documents, and assets of the board in their possession to the Director of Administration at the pensions office. The statement emphasized the importance of a smooth and transparent transition, adding that the state government was committed to safeguarding pensioners’ interests during the process.

The Pensions Board was originally tasked with administering pensions and gratuities to retired civil servants in the state, ensuring that their entitlements were processed and disbursed in line with existing regulations. The board’s dissolution signals Fubara’s intention to review the state’s pension management framework and possibly overhaul its operations to improve efficiency.

The move has already sparked conversations across the state, with stakeholders interpreting it as part of the governor’s broader plan to assert control over key institutions and set a new tone for governance after months of political tension. The board was among the several state parastatals reconstituted under the immediate past emergency rule administration, which was imposed following months of political crisis that paralyzed governance in the oil-rich state.

Governor Fubara’s decision comes just days after his return to the state on September 19, where he addressed Rivers residents and reassured them of his administration’s commitment to restoring normalcy. “We are rebuilding Rivers State step by step,” he said during that address, hinting that reforms in the civil service were imminent.

Labour unions in the state have cautiously welcomed the dissolution but have called on the governor to prioritize the appointment of credible individuals to the next board. The Nigeria Union of Pensioners (NUP), Rivers State chapter, urged the government to use this opportunity to address the backlog of unpaid pensions and gratuities, which they say has been a source of hardship for retirees.

Some political observers believe the dissolution could be linked to allegations of mismanagement and delays in pension payments that plagued the previous board. Though no specific reasons were given in the official statement, analysts suggest that Fubara may be positioning trusted officials in charge of pension administration to avoid leakages and ensure prompt disbursement.

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The governor has promised to announce the constitution of a new pensions board in due course, one expected to reflect transparency, accountability, and efficiency.

As Rivers State continues its transition out of emergency rule, Friday’s decision is widely seen as a signal that Governor Fubara is ready to take tough measures to restructure key institutions and deliver on his promises of reform and good governance.