The 2025 fiscal plan outlines a total budget of ₦1.481 trillion, with key allocations structured to sustain governance and service delivery in Rivers state amid ongoing political instability.
The senate has approved the second reading of the 2025 appropriation bill for Rivers state, marking a significant step in the legislative process for a state currently under emergency rule.
The bill, titled “A Bill for an Act to Authorise the Issue from the Consolidated Revenue Fund of Rivers State,” was presented during Tuesday’s plenary by Senate Leader and Chair of the Senate ad-hoc committee on Rivers State, Sen. Opeyemi Bamidele.
According to the proposal, the 2025 fiscal plan outlines a total budget of ₦1.481 trillion, with key allocations structured to sustain governance and service delivery in the state amid ongoing political instability.
A breakdown of the budget shows:
•₦120.8 billion allocated for debt servicing,
•₦287.3 billion for recurrent (non-debt) expenditure, and
•₦1.07 trillion earmarked for capital projects.
Sen. Bamidele explained that the budget was crafted to maintain state operations within the framework of emergency administration and to stabilise public institutions. He noted that the spending plan focuses on critical sectors to promote inclusive growth, rebuild damaged infrastructure, and uplift the living standards of citizens.
The bill has now been forwarded to the ad-hoc committee on Rivers emergency rule, which is expected to conduct a detailed review and report back to the senate within two weeks.
READ ALSO: Tinubu seeks senate approval for Rivers 2025 budget
Parliament Reports recalls that President Bola Tinubu, in a letter dated 22 May, 2025 and read on the senate floor by Senate President Godswill Akpabio, formally transmitted the Rivers State Appropriation Bill to the national assembly.
The request follows the constitutional provision that mandates the national assembly to legislate for any state under emergency rule when its house of assembly is suspended or unable to perform its duties.
Rivers State has been under federal emergency control since March 2025, following an escalating political crisis that incapacitated the state legislature and led to widespread unrest.
The conflict, rooted in a bitter feud between loyalists of former governor Nyesom Wike and supporters of the incumbent governor Siminalayi Fubara, spiralled into violent clashes, arson attacks on public buildings, and the controversial impeachment of the state house of assembly speaker. As the crisis deepened, the Rivers Assembly became dysfunctional, prompting the federal government to impose emergency rule and suspend local legislative functions.
Sole administrator to defend budget before national assembly
At the inaugural meeting of the ad-hoc committee on Tuesday, 27 May 2025, Sen. Bamidele revealed that Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas (retd.), the sole administrator appointed to govern Rivers State, will appear before a joint session of the national assembly to defend the proposed budget. He will be accompanied by key officials including the Accountant-General of the state and the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Finance.
Sen. Bamidele assured that the committee has adopted a structured timetable and detailed work plan to guide the scrutiny of the budget, with emphasis on transparency and accountability.
“Our objective is to ensure financial propriety and the continuity of governance in Rivers State. Even under emergency rule, democratic institutions must remain functional,” Bamidele said.
He added that the committee would work closely with the House of Representatives to ensure the people of Rivers State are not denied essential services or public benefits during this transitional period.
“This inaugural meeting marks a critical step in our oversight responsibilities. We must ensure that governance proceeds without disruption and that public funds are managed responsibly,” he concluded.
