The Sole Administrator of Rivers State, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (retd), has said that the ₦1.48 trillion 2025 budget proposal has been carefully structured to make room for the return of suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara and other political officeholders currently affected by the ongoing political crisis.
Speaking in Abuja on Wednesday while presenting the budget to the House of Representatives Ad-Hoc Committee on Rivers State Oversight, Ibas stated that the budget remains within the goals of the Rivers State Development Plan (2017–2027).
He explained that the proposal was designed to improve infrastructure, strengthen human capital, and support growth in all sectors.
“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,” Ibas said.
He also noted that challenges were faced during the budget’s preparation due to the lack of cooperation from some state officials. These individuals, he said, withheld necessary information that would have provided a clearer picture of ongoing expenditures. Despite this, the budget structure still captures earlier spending lawfully.
“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,” Ibas added.
He explained that to maintain financial discipline, the framework includes expenses already made in the first quarter, making sure they meet legal and transparent standards of public finance management.
The budget, which includes ₦1.4 trillion in expected revenue, received presidential approval and was sent to the National Assembly after the Supreme Court cleared the legal process for the 2025 appropriation.
In his opening speech, Ibas thanked the committee members, 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.”
Breakdown of the budget includes ₦324.5 billion for infrastructure and transport, ₦55 billion for expanding the Rivers State University Teaching Hospital, ₦50 billion for upgrading zonal hospitals, and ₦38.85 billion for shoreline and erosion works. Also included are ₦30 billion for zonal secondary schools and ₦5.75 billion for repairing primary schools.
Other major allocations are ₦2.5 billion for women’s empowerment, ₦3 billion for youth centres, ₦20 billion to support small businesses through the Rivers State Microfinance Bank, and ₦117 billion for pensions and benefits.
Chairman of the committee, Prof Julius Ihonvbere, responded by praising the administrator’s effort and promised close collaboration to bring peace and progress back to Rivers.
