- House of Reps passes Rivers State 2025 budget totalling ₦1.48 trillion
- Budget prepared under Tinubu-appointed Sole Administrator, Vice Admiral Ibas
- Stakeholders raise concerns over legitimacy, transparency of process
The House of Representatives has approved the Rivers State 2025 budget totalling ₦1.48 trillion, marking a significant phase in the federal government’s emergency oversight of the state.
Eko hot blog reports that his comes after the Senate gave similar approval in June, passing the ₦1.485 trillion appropriation bill at third reading.
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The budget was prepared under the direction of President Bola Tinubu’s appointed Sole Administrator, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (Rtd), following a declared political crisis in the state.
Breakdown of the budget includes ₦120.8 billion for debt servicing, ₦287.38 billion for recurrent (non-debt) expenditure, and ₦1.077 trillion for capital projects.
Despite the numbers, concerns over transparency and accountability persist, particularly as the process bypassed Rivers’ democratically elected institutions.
Vice Admiral Ibas had first presented the spending plan in early June before the House Ad-Hoc Committee on Rivers State, amid a federal intervention that has triggered mixed reactions.
Shortly after assuming office, Ibas stated that the budget was crafted to prioritise health, education, agriculture, infrastructure, and job creation for Rivers people.
Hosting members of the Rivers National Assembly caucus, led by Senator Barinada Mpigi, at the Port Harcourt Government House, Ibas promised a transparent and expedited budgeting process.
“Since the Supreme Court verdict on the state’s budget, we acted swiftly to put together a comprehensive plan for infrastructural development,” he said.
He stressed that the administration aimed to avoid delays in delivering critical public services.
However, opposition leaders and civil society groups have questioned the legitimacy of the budget process, citing lack of consultation and the absence of elected state officials.
Many argue that allowing a Sole Administrator to oversee an entire fiscal year’s budget undermines democratic principles and could set a dangerous precedent.
Despite the criticism, federal lawmakers appear committed to moving forward with the Ibas-led process, at least until political stability is restored in Rivers State.
