The Sole Administrator of Rivers State, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (retd), announced on Wednesday that the proposed ₦1.48 trillion 2025 budget anticipates the return of suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara and other affected political officeholders.
Ibas made this disclosure in Abuja while defending the budget before the House of Representatives Ad-Hoc Committee on Rivers State Oversight.
According to Ibas, the proposed budget aligns with the strategic objectives of the Rivers State Development Plan 2017-2027.
He stated that the proposal provides a strategic and integrated framework designed to increase revenues, accelerate infrastructure development, enhance human capital, and promote inclusive economic growth across all sectors.
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He confirmed, “In anticipation of the eventual return to constitutional order, the draft budget prudently retains provisions for the offices and functions of suspended political actors, some of whom have already drawn on allocated resources in the first quarter and are expected to resume their duties at the expiration of the emergency period.”
However, Ibas accused some suspected Rivers State officials of failing to provide his administration with necessary information for budget preparation.
He stated, “Regrettably, some state officials withheld critical information required to ensure a more complete capture of those expenditures at the time of submission of the budget estimates.”
He added that despite this, the budget framework integrates available expenditure information to ratify first-quarter expenditures in a lawful and transparent manner, ensuring alignment with statutory appropriation protocols and safeguarding public finance management.
The budget, totaling ₦1.48 trillion in expenditure with a projected ₦1.4 trillion in revenue, was transmitted to the National Assembly following presidential approval after the Supreme Court ruled on the legality of the Rivers State 2025 appropriation process.
Ibas thanked the committee, saying, “We in Rivers State are most grateful for your commitment. Despite your tight schedules, you have shown unwavering resolve to fulfil your constitutional duties.”
He detailed significant allocations, including ₦324.50 billion for infrastructure and transportation; ₦55 billion to relocate and expand Rivers State University Teaching Hospital; ₦50 billion for zonal hospital upgrades; ₦38.85 billion for shoreline protection and erosion control; ₦30 billion for zonal secondary schools; ₦5.75 billion for primary school rehabilitation; ₦2.5 billion for women’s economic empowerment; ₦3 billion for youth resource centers; ₦20 billion to recapitalize Rivers State Microfinance Bank for SME support; and ₦117 billion for pensions, gratuities, and employee benefits.
In response, the Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Rivers State oversight, Prof. Julius Ihonvbere, commended Ibas’s detailed presentation and affirmed the committee’s readiness to partner with the administrator in restoring peace and development to Rivers State. He pledged the committee’s commitment to scrutinizing the budget in the interest of the oil-rich state and its people.
Ihonvbere stated, “I want to especially thank you and let you know that this committee is committed to working with you to restore stability, peace, growth, and development in Rivers State. Rivers has always been a shining example of what is possible with good leadership, and that is why this commitment is here. We will scrutinize the budget. We will invite you to send your relevant officials for a proper defence of the budget. In as much as we are committed to joining hands with you to get Rivers State back on track, we are not going to cut corners.”
Ihonvbere, who is also the House Majority Leader, highlighted key social welfare components in the budget, such as women’s empowerment and retiree pensions, describing them as necessary and people-centered interventions.
“These are areas that touch people’s lives, and we know the plight of their families. We appreciate you for making these bold commitments,” he added.
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