Rivers Sole Administrator Ibok-Ete Ibas has presented a ₦1.48 trillion budget proposal for the 2025 fiscal year, outlining his administration’s plans to rebuild critical infrastructure, strengthen public services, and stimulate inclusive growth amid the current state of emergency in Rivers State.
Speaking before the House of Representatives in Abuja on Tuesday, Ibas gave a detailed breakdown of the proposed expenditure and revenue. According to him, the state is targeting ₦1.4 trillion in revenue to match the spending plan, which aligns with the Rivers State Development Plan 2017–2027.
The budget was sent to the National Assembly after getting presidential approval, following the Supreme Court’s decision on the legality of the 2025 appropriation process.
Ibas used the opportunity to thank lawmakers for their cooperation. “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 said.
However, he pointed to internal resistance as a major obstacle to budget planning. He noted that suspended state officials failed to provide essential information that would have helped the administration fully capture first-quarter expenditures carried out by the previous government.
“Regrettably, some state officials withheld critical information required to ensure a more complete capture of expenditures already undertaken during the first quarter of the fiscal year by the suspended administration,” he said.
Despite this setback, Ibas said the budget was revised to legally recognize earlier spending while maintaining transparency and consistency with national standards.
Major spending items in the budget include ₦324.5 billion for infrastructure and transportation, ₦55 billion for the relocation and expansion of Rivers State University Teaching Hospital, ₦50 billion for upgrading zonal hospitals, and ₦38.85 billion for shoreline protection and erosion control. Education will also see investments, with ₦30 billion for zonal secondary schools and ₦5.75 billion to renovate primary schools.
The budget also sets aside ₦2.5 billion for women’s economic initiatives and ₦3 billion to establish youth resource centers. To support small businesses, ₦20 billion will go toward recapitalizing the Rivers State Microfinance Bank. An additional ₦117 billion is allocated for pensions and benefits for government workers.
“God willing, every Rivers citizen with a great idea, carefully thought out and well-planned, will find the funding required to turn their dreams into successful ventures, irrespective of tribe, ethnicity, or political divide,” Ibas said during the session.
