ABUJA, Nigeria — Ibok-Ete Ibas, the federally appointed sole administrator overseeing Rivers State, has said that the proposed ₦1.48 trillion 2025 budget contains allocations for Governor Siminalayi Fubara and other suspended political officeholders, in anticipation of a return to constitutional governance.
Ibas made the disclosure on Wednesday, June 11, 2025, while appearing before the House of Representatives ad hoc committee on Rivers State, where he presented details of the draft budget and addressed lawmakers’ questions regarding its scope and legitimacy.
“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 stated.
The budget, which was forwarded to the National Assembly following presidential approval and a Supreme Court ruling affirming its legality, projects ₦1.4 trillion in revenue.
It aligns with the state’s 2017–2027 development plan, according to Ibas.
He described the budget as “a strategic and integrated framework designed to raise revenues and accelerate infrastructure development, enhance human capital, and promote inclusive economic growth across all sectors.”
However, Ibas expressed frustration over a lack of cooperation from some state officials, whom he accused of withholding vital financial data needed to prepare the estimates.
“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,” he said.
Nonetheless, first-quarter expenditure data was incorporated “to ensure alignment with statutory appropriation protocols while safeguarding the integrity of public finance management.”
The proposed spending plan outlines major investments across multiple sectors:
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₦324.5 billion for infrastructure and transportation
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₦55 billion for the relocation and expansion of Rivers State University Teaching Hospital
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₦50 billion for zonal hospital upgrades
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₦38.85 billion for shoreline protection and erosion control
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₦30 billion for zonal secondary schools
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₦5.75 billion for primary school rehabilitation
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₦3 billion for youth resource centres
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₦2.5 billion for women’s economic empowerment
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₦20 billion to recapitalise the state’s microfinance bank
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₦117 billion for pensions and employee benefits
In his response, committee chairman Julius Ihonvbere praised Ibas for the depth and clarity of his presentation and expressed the legislature’s readiness to conduct a thorough review of the proposal.
“This committee is committed to working with you to restore stability, peace, growth, and development in Rivers State,” Ihonvbere said.
“We will scrutinise the budget… We are not going to cut corners.”
He also commended the inclusion of social welfare allocations.
“These are areas that touch people’s lives… We appreciate you for making these bold commitments,” he added.
