President Bola Ahmed Tinubu
Nigeria’s President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Thursday sought the consideration and approval of the National Assembly for a budget proposal of N1.48 trillion for the Rivers State Government.
Newsmata.com.ng reports that Rivers State is under emergency rule imposed on it by President Tinubu on March 18, 2025, and is being administered by retired Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas as sole administrator.
The President, in letters to both the Senate and House of Representatives entitled: “Forwarding of Rivers State Government 2025 Appropriation Bill for consideration by the National Assembly”, explained that the budget proposal became necessary because of the nullification of the 2025 budget of the state by the Supreme Court and the fact that the state is currently under emergency rule
He said, “Regulation 4, sub-section 2 of the emergency rule 2025 requires authorisation for expenditure from the Consolidated Revenue Fund of Rivers state for its activities.
“In the absence of the State House of Assembly, it is expected that the National Assembly acts on that behalf, hence the request for the approval of the Senate for the Rivers State government 2025 appropriation bill.
“The Appropriation Bill for the year 2025 is in the total sum of N1.48 trillion, wherein the sum of N324 billion is for infrastructure, both ongoing and new projects, while the sum of N166 billion is for the health sector, including N5 billion for free drugs for treatment of malaria and other common ailments.
“The sum of N75.6 billion is proposed for the educational sector and the sum of N31.4 billion is proposed for agricultural purposes,”
According to President Tinubu, “This spending plan prioritises investment in critical sectors such as infrastructure, health, education, and agriculture, which is projected to generate approximately 6,000 jobs”.
While therefore expressing hope for a swift and positive action by the Senate, President Tinubu said, “Accordingly, I hereby forward the Rivers State Government 2025 Appropriation Bill and trust that it will receive the expeditious and favourable consideration of the Senate.
“Please accept, the distinguished Senate President and the distinguished senators, the assurances of my highest regards”.
After reading the communication, Senator Akpabio referred the budget proposal to the ad-hoc committee on Rivers State and urged the panel to review and report back promptly.
The Senate had on March 20, 2025, ratified the emergency rule imposed on Rivers State following the March 18 presidential proclamation while an ad-hoc oversight committee was constituted on May 6 to monitor the state.