Siminalayi Fubara, governor of Rivers, says the state treasury held over N300 billion when President Bola Tinubu imposed the emergency rule.
The emergency rule, imposed in March, saw Fubara, Ngozi Odu, his deputy, and the state house of assembly suspended for six months.
Ibok-Ete Ibas, sole administrator, was appointed to take over the affairs of the oil rich state during the period.
Speaking during the commission of project on Wednesday, Fubara said the state coffers contained about N600 billion when he resumed office in September.
The governor emphasised that public funds are being directed towards sustainable projects, with full attention to transparency and accountability.
“I want to also say to the whole world that when we left during the emergency rule, our records are there; we left over N300 billion,” he said.
“When we came back, we met about N600 billion. The record is there for every penny we spend, and the evidence will show within the next 12 months.”
He insisted that there is no misconduct in the handling of state funds, stating, “so there is no issue with what we are doing with the money.
“At least nobody can take away my sincerity and genuineness. I am not associated with any fraudulent activity.
“Nobody can associate me with anything that has to do with any bad thing. So your money and the record of how your money was spent are intact,” the governor added.
Fubara said his administration prioritises project completion over ceremonial flag-offs to save public resources.
“We have very strong projects that we are doing. We don’t believe in flagging off projects, except otherwise,” he said.
“We believe in commissioning them. We don’t want to spend money to flag off projects, then spend more to commission them.
“So let’s save you the money of flagging off and entertain you when we are ready to tell you that this is what we have done with your money.”
He invited the public to scrutinise the state’s financial records, stating, “call me any day, anytime.”
“The record is there. Right from the time I started working in the government and taking responsibility, my records are there.”
Fubara noted that records from previous administrations are available, saying, “I’m not even talking about the immediate past administration; I’m talking about the previous administration before this one. The records are there.”
On professional record-keeping, he added, “When it comes to issues of record keeping, it is my profession. So, you don’t need to worry about what happens or your money.”
The governor reiterated that all funds are being used for the welfare and development of Rivers residents.
Last week, the Rivers state house of assembly accused Fubara of unapproved spending, with Martin Amaewhule, speaker of the assembly, alleging contracts were awarded to cronies, including those implicated in the burning of the assembly complex.
