A former Chief of Defence Intelligence, retired Air Vice Marshal Morgan Monday Riku, has commended the Rivers State Government for its commitment to local government financial autonomy.
Riku spoke as Special Guest of Honour at the 2026 Local Government Leadership Advancement Programme Dinner and Award Night in Port Harcourt.
He said financial autonomy places greater responsibility on local government chairmen and leaves them with fewer excuses not to deliver meaningful development to their communities.
Riku particularly commended Governor Siminalayi Fubara for demonstrating what he described as genuine commitment to financial autonomy for local governments in Rivers State.
In his speech, Chairman of the Homeland Awareness and Sensitisation Initiative and Guest Speaker, retired Air Commodore Gideon Truman, stressed the critical role of local government chairmen in delivering effective grassroots governance.
He urged local government leaders to justify the confidence reposed in them by the people through accountability, transparency and prudent management of public resources.
The project team said the assessment followed an extensive research and needs-assessment exercise conducted across the local governments over a period of about two months.
Based on the assessment, Chairman of Ahoada East Local Government, Solomon Abuba Ochoma, emerged as the Best Performing Local Government Chairman.
Chairman of Opobo/Nkoro Local Government, James A. James, emerged second, while the third position went to the Chairman of Etche Local Government.
James A. James responded on behalf of the awardees.
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