By Nathaniel Zacchaeus, Abuja
The Sole Administrator of Rivers State, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (retd.), yesterday defended the proposed 2025 budget of N1.846 Trillion before the Senate Ad-Hoc Committee on Emergency Rule Oversight.
The budget figure showed an increase of about N400bn from the initial N1.49trn presented to the two chambers of the National Assembly by President Bola Tinubu.
Ibas explained that the proposed 2025 budget, which is N1.846trn against projected revenue of N1.49trn, was increased by 15% to integrate first-quarter expenditures from the previous administration to maintain fiscal accuracy and transparency.
The adjustment reflects an additional 15% increase, primarily to accommodate new and urgent projects, which constitute 70% of the money Bill.
Ibas said the budget is guided by the Rivers State Development Plan (2017–2027) and places a strong emphasis on restoring order and repositioning the state for long-term growth.
He explained that substantial funding is allocated for military-civilian coordination, community security, intelligence operations, and early warning systems.
He also said resources would also support unified command structures to reduce fragmentation across security agencies.
Ibas explained that N324.5bn has been proposed for roads, bridges, and urban-rural transport to catalyse commerce and mobility.
He also stated that an additional N38.85bn is set aside for erosion control, shoreline protection, and climate adaptation infrastructure.
With N10bn allocated to boost staple crop production and N4.5bn for the Rural Access and Agricultural Marketing Program (RAAMP), he said the state aims to unlock N45 billion in rural infrastructure.
He also stated that N3.5bn will be used to modernise agriculture and expand food processing industries—initiatives expected to generate 16,000 jobs over two years.
On healthcare and education, Ibas said the government plans to relocate and expand the Rivers State University Teaching Hospital with an investment of N55bn.
He said N50bn will go towards upgrading zonal hospitals, N30bn committed to secondary education, additional allocations of N5.75bn for primary school rehabilitation, and N1.5bn for inclusive special education.
He said N2.5bn is allocated for women’s economic empowerment initiatives and that a youth innovation centre will be established with N3bn.
Ibas noted that N20bn had been set aside for the recapitalisation of the Rivers State Microfinance Bank, which aims to expand credit access to MSMEs, particularly those led by youth and women.
The Administrator stated that N25 billion is dedicated to affordable housing for middle-income earners and the rehabilitation of public housing, adding that emphasis will be placed on job creation through construction and urban regeneration projects.
On pension and civil service reforms, Ibas said over N117bn has been budgeted for pensions and employee benefits, including a N50bn fund to begin clearing outstanding arrears.
He said his administration will implement the Employee Compensation Act and introduce group life insurance schemes for civil servants.
He noted that Rivers State outperformed its 2024 revenue target, recording N1.04 trillion in actual income—31.6% above the N800.39bn target.
The expenditure, he noted, was contained at N740.7 billion, representing a 6.6% decrease below the budget.
He, however, acknowledged documentation gaps from the early months of emergency governance, attributing them to transitional administrative shifts.
He clarified that the budget retains appropriations for offices and functions of suspended political actors, signalling readiness for a return to democratic governance when conditions allow.
“This budget is not only an emergency response—it is a roadmap to healing and rebuilding,” he said.
He appealed for the Senate’s continued support and scrutiny, expressing confidence that the budget could serve as a powerful instrument for rebuilding Rivers State, restoring public trust, and renewing the social contract between government and citizens.”
The Senate Ad Hoc Committee on Oversight of Emergency Rule in Rivers State commended the structure and priorities of the 2025 budget as amended, affirming that the process has remained largely faithful to the original estimates initiated by Governor Siminalayi Fubara.
Speaking at the end of a budget defence session, the Committee Chairman, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, disclosed that about 85% of the 2025 budget was initially developed by the Fubara administration before the declaration of emergency rule.
He said the new economic team adjusted the remaining 15% to accommodate “new and urgent projects” reflective of the state’s current needs.
Among the most notable additions to the revised budget, according to them, is a ₦50bn provision for the settlement of outstanding pensions and gratuities.
Bamidele described the initiative as “a people-centred intervention and applauded the Sole Administrator for prioritising the welfare of retired civil servants who, he said, “have served the state with dedication and now deserve their entitlements.”
The Committee further lauded the overall budget composition, highlighting its heavy capital expenditure focus.
Bamidele said, “Over 70% of the budget is dedicated to capital expenditure, while less than 30% goes to recurrent spending, with a negligible amount for overheads or consumables.
“This is a commendable standard that we urge other state governments to emulate to ensure the delivery of tangible democratic dividends.”
Bamidele noted that the Committee sought clarifications on various aspects of the budget.
He said the Sole Administrator and key members of the economic team—including the Accountant General and the Permanent Secretary—provided “comprehensive responses and relevant documentation.”
As proceedings wrapped up, Senator Bamidele announced that while the full Committee would adjourn, several senior officials from the Rivers economic team had been asked to remain in Abuja over the weekend for continued technical engagements.
This, he said, would aid in finalising the Committee’s draft report.
He said, “We intend to produce a draft report by Monday,” Bamidele stated, “after which the Committee will reconvene to review and adopt it before presenting our recommendations to the Senate plenary next week.”
The Senate had constituted an Ad Hoc Committee following the declaration of a controversial emergency rule in Rivers State amid heightened political tensions.
The Committee’s work is seen as critical to ensuring fiscal discipline and democratic oversight under the transitional administration.
