The Senate has passed the 2025 appropriation bill for Rivers State, approving a total expenditure of ₦1.485 trillion.
The bill was ratified during its third reading on Tuesday, following a review by the Senate Ad-Hoc Committee on Rivers State. The legislation authorizes withdrawals from the state’s Consolidated Revenue Fund for the 2025 fiscal year, ending December 31.
According to the budget breakdown, ₦120.8 billion will be allocated to debt servicing, ₦287.38 billion is earmarked for recurrent expenditure, and ₦1.077 trillion will go toward capital projects. An additional ₦50 billion has been assigned to settle outstanding pensions and gratuities—an allocation that drew attention during the deliberation.
Senator Abdul Ningi of Bauchi Central voiced concern over the pension provision, emphasizing the need for transparency. “There must be strict oversight to ensure that pensioners receive what is rightfully theirs,” he urged. Ningi called on the committee to reinforce monitoring processes to prevent misuse of funds and ensure accountability in implementation.
The budget’s passage comes after President Bola Tinubu forwarded the proposal to the National Assembly in May, following the suspension of the Rivers State House of Assembly amid political upheaval. The original proposal, set at ₦1.481 trillion, was later revised slightly upwards. Tinubu’s submission highlighted the need to rehabilitate critical infrastructure and sectors within the state.
The move follows a Supreme Court ruling that nullified an earlier budget passed by Governor Siminalayi Fubara, intensifying a constitutional impasse. The governor had been locked in a protracted feud with lawmakers loyal to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, creating a legislative vacuum in the state.
Amid escalating tensions, President Tinubu declared a state of emergency in Rivers State on March 18, 2025, appointing retired Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas as interim administrator for six months. With the budget now awaiting assent, observers are watching closely to see whether the funds will be effectively utilized in stabilizing governance and improving public services in the politically volatile state.
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