The Sole Administrator of Rivers State, Mr. Ibok-Ete Ibas, presented the state’s 2025 budget proposal amounting to ₦1.48 trillion before the House of Representatives. This budget, built on projected revenues of ₦1.4 trillion, aims to address infrastructure deficits, improve social services, and foster inclusive development under the declared state of emergency. Ibas emphasized that the budget aligns with the Rivers State Development Plan (2017–2027), though he lamented difficulties in obtaining critical data from some suspended state officials, which complicated the planning process.
Despite these setbacks, Ibas assured the legislature that the budget had been revised to ratify previous expenditures lawfully and ensure transparency. He highlighted major allocations, including ₦324.5 billion for infrastructure, ₦55 billion for the Rivers State University Teaching Hospital, ₦50 billion for zonal hospitals, and billions more for shoreline protection, education, women and youth empowerment, and support for micro and small enterprises. These investments, he said, were aimed at stimulating equitable development across the state and empowering citizens regardless of background.
In response, Hon. Julius Ihonvbere, Chairman of the House Committee on Rivers State oversight, praised the comprehensive presentation and reiterated the committee’s readiness to support the administrator’s efforts. He pledged that the committee would scrutinize the budget thoroughly and invite relevant officials to defend specific allocations. Ihonvbere stressed the importance of ensuring fiscal accountability and proper execution, given the emergency governance situation in the state.
Lawmakers acknowledged the social impact of proposed initiatives such as pension settlements and women’s empowerment, describing them as necessary for societal stability. The committee is scheduled to begin more detailed budget review sessions in the coming weeks. Their goal is to ensure that every provision in the budget upholds financial discipline, accountability, and serves the needs of Rivers State citizens, in line with the state’s broader recovery and development objectives.
