The Senate has approved a ₦1.485 trillion budget for Rivers State for the 2025 fiscal year, marking a major step in governance under the state of emergency declared by President Bola Tinubu.
The budget’s passage followed the third reading of the appropriation bill during plenary on Wednesday, June 25, and the presentation of a report by the Senate’s Ad-Hoc Committee on Rivers State.
According to the bill, ₦1.485 trillion will be drawn from the state’s Consolidated Revenue Fund, with ₦120.8 billion allocated for debt servicing, ₦287.38 billion for recurrent spending, and ₦1.077 trillion for capital projects.
Senator Abdul Ningi (Bauchi Central) supported the bill but raised concerns over an extra ₦50 billion set aside for outstanding pensions and gratuities. He called for closer monitoring to ensure the funds reach retirees.
“I urge the Senate Ad-Hoc Committee to ensure the funds for pensions are not diverted but reach the rightful beneficiaries without delay,” Ningi said.
The budget is expected to be signed into law soon, paving the way for full implementation.
This development follows President Tinubu’s decision in May to forward Rivers State’s 2025 Appropriation Bill to the National Assembly.
READ ALSO: Rivers 2025 Budget Has Plans for Fubara’s Return — Ibas
The move came after the suspension of the state’s House of Assembly and the political turmoil involving Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his predecessor, FCT Minister Nyesom Wike.
Tinubu, in a letter to Senate President Godswill Akpabio, explained that the original 2025 budget, presented by Fubara, had been voided by the Supreme Court. He urged the legislature to approve a new budget to keep the state running.
He also submitted the same request to the House of Representatives.
On March 18, Tinubu declared a state of emergency in Rivers after months of tension between Fubara and lawmakers loyal to Wike.
The president suspended the governor and appointed retired Vice Admiral Ibokette Ibas as interim administrator for six months.
With the budget now passed, the administrator is expected to begin full-scale implementation of projects and services in the state under the federal government’s emergency watch.