On Wednesday, June 11, 2025, the Rivers State Sole Administrator, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ette Ekwe Ibas (rtd), defended the proposed 1.48 trillion naira state budget before the House of Representatives Ad-Hoc Committee on Rivers State Oversight.
While defending the proposed 2025 budget in Abuja, Ibas revealed that the budget anticipates the return of the suspended governor, Siminalayi Fubara and other affected political officeholders.
He said the budget aligned with the strategic objectives of the River State Development Plan 2017-2027. Also that the proposal presents a strategic and integrated framework designed to raise revenues. Also accelerating infrastructure development, enhance human capital, and promote inclusive economic growth across all sectors.
The SOLAD highlighted several major allocations, including ₦324.50bn for infrastructure and transportation projects; ₦55bn to relocate and expand Rivers State University Teaching Hospital. ₦50bn for zonal hospital upgrade. ₦38.85bn for shoreline protection and erosion control; ₦30bn for zonal secondary schools and ₦5.75bn for primary school rehabilitation.
Others are ₦2.5bn for women’s economic empowerment and ₦3bn for youth resource centres. ₦20bn to recapitalise Rivers State Microfinance Bank for Medium and Small Scale Enterprises support, and ₦117bn in pension, gratuities, and employee benefits.
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According to the SOLAD, “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.
“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.
“However, recognising the exigencies under the state of emergency and the need to ensure fiscal credibility, the budget framework integrates expenditure information. Made available before the submission of the budget proposal to ratify the first quarter expenditures in a lawful and transparent structure.
Ibas further thanked the committee for its commitment, saying that “We in Rivers State are most grateful for your commitment. Despite your tight schedules, you have shown unwavering resolve to fulfil your constitutional duties.”
In his response, the Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Rivers State oversight, Prof Julius Ihonvbere, said, “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 scrutinise the budget. We will invite you to send your relevant officials for a proper defence of the budget. Inasmuch as we are committed to joining hands with you to get Rivers State back on track, we are not going to cut corners.”
